Syrians in UK react to Assad’s downfall

The BBC also spoke to Syrian national Rama Terkmani, 20, who is studying medicine at the University of Central Lancashire.

She has lived in Liverpool with her mother, father and two older brothers for nine years.

“Finally my country is free,” she said.

“My cousin, who’s 14, lost his mum and dad in prison. He’s still in Syria.

“My brother was in prison when he was 16 up until age 20, when he came to the UK, and he’s been mentally affected.

“My uncle is still in Syria. I spoke to him today and he told me a lot of things that he wasn’t able to tell me before.

“But now he can speak freely.”

Ms Terkmani said while her family “feels much better – safe”, they do not feel they are able to go back just yet.

“We still don’t know what will happen but we’re going to have a big party now,” she said.

But for some, the prospect of going home evokes painful memories.

Amneh Khoulani is a human rights activist who says she was tortured in a Syrian prison, and came to the UK in 2016. She told the BBC she had barely slept in days.

She welcomed Assad’s downfall, but said she could not help but think of her three brothers – also imprisoned by the regime.

She has not seen them since 2011, and their whereabouts are unknown.

“It is something very, very difficult to explain,” Ms Khoulani said of her feelings this week.

“Our dream’s come true, but I still do not get any information about my brothers.”

Now a UK citizen, Ms Khoulani said she would likely return to Syria for the first time in a decade to see the country rebuilt.

But the idea of going home is “very painful,” she said.

“Every street, every town in my country, every place, every shop, everything reminds me of my brothers.”

Crying, she remarked: “They don’t even have a grave.”