As an American citizen who grew up in Antakya, Turkey, just 60 miles from the Syrian border, my connection to Syria has always been deeply personal, shaped by geography, history, and shared struggles. My parents were born in Yayladagi, Turkey, a mere 15 miles from the border, and our family history is intertwined with the Bayır-Bucak Turks of Syria. Our ancestors were settled there by Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent in the 16th century, tasked with protecting Ottoman military supply routes to Egypt. The town they established (today called Yayladagi), named “Ordu” (meaning “Army Base”), symbolized strength and loyalty. However, much of this legacy was fractured in the 1930s when the French and British drew modern borders, severing our community and leaving half of our village in Syria.
Even as a child, I was acutely aware of the tensions between Turkey and Syria. I remember vividly how Syrian news and weather broadcasts depicted my beloved Antakya and the entire Hatay Province as part of Syria. This claim stung deeply, a stark reminder of historical disputes. Yet, amidst these geopolitical tensions, Syria was also a source of fascination. They had color television years before Turkey, an innovation that made us marvel from across the border. The Syrian TV also served to our Arabic-speaking population of Hatay as a means of entertainment and following the world. Since Turkey did not have an Arabic broadcasting tv for its Arabic-speaking population live in the South of Turkey and different parts of Hatay.
Syria also provided rare luxuries in an era when imported goods were nearly inaccessible to middle-class families like mine. Smugglers frequently crossed the border, bringing merchandise unavailable in Turkey. My first toy—a battery-operated helicopter and plane—came from one such smuggler. It was a treasure beyond compare, the “PlayStation-level” gift of its time, and I still recall the joy it brought me and my brother.
Despite these personal connections, the darker realities of life in Syria during the Hafiz Asad regime were impossible to ignore. Under Asad’s rule, the country became an open prison for much of the Sunni population. Stories of imprisonment, oppression, and even mass killings were far too common, leaving scars on families and communities that would persist for generations.
Syria’s Painful Struggle for Freedom
Syria’s plight today is the culmination of decades of external meddling and internal oppression. Foreign powers have long treated the region as a chessboard, carving up territories and deciding the fate of its people without their consent. From the borders drawn by colonial powers to modern interventions by Russia, Israel, the United States, and European nations, Syrians have rarely had the chance to shape their destiny.
The Syrian Civil War, which erupted in 2011, has been devastating. Millions of lives have been lost, and millions more have been displaced, becoming refugees scattered across the globe. Despite claims of humanitarian intent, foreign interventions often served geopolitical interests rather than addressing the root causes of the conflict. When I see calls, like a recent tweet from President-Elect Trump, urging the U.S. to stay out of Syria, I feel conflicted. On one hand, non-intervention could allow Syrians to reclaim their autonomy. On the other, decades of turmoil have left Syria fragmented and vulnerable to further exploitation.
A Vision for a Free and Democratic Syria
For Syria to rebuild, its people must take the lead in determining their future. True independence and democracy cannot be imposed from the outside; they must be born from the will of the people. Neighboring countries and global powers must resist the temptation to partition Syrian territory for their own gain. Instead, the international community should support Syrians in establishing a framework for self-governance that reflects the diverse ethnic and religious fabric of their nation.
This means fostering dialogue among Syrian factions, ensuring the return of refugees, and holding accountable those who committed atrocities during the war. It also requires addressing the socioeconomic disparities and systemic injustices that fueled the conflict in the first place. Most importantly, it demands a commitment from the world to respect Syria’s sovereignty rather than exploiting its vulnerabilities.
A Hopeful Future
Despite the immense challenges, I believe in the resilience of the Syrian people. They have endured unimaginable suffering, yet their spirit remains unbroken. My hope is that one day, Syria will emerge as a nation where all its citizens—regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation—can live in freedom and dignity.
Let this be a moment for the world to support what is best for the people of Syria, not for Russia, Israel, or Western countries. Let us honor the memories of those who have suffered by ensuring that Syria’s future is determined by its own people. It is time for Syrians to reclaim their homeland and write the next chapter of their history—a chapter of peace, unity, and hope.
