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Local Syrian Couple Say ‘Hopes are Coming Back’ After the Fall of Assad Regime

Amjad Kinjawi and Mayss Bajbouj-Kinjawi with their children.
File photo / The Public’s Radio
Amjad Kinjawi and Mayss Bajbouj-Kinjawi with their children.

Many Syrian-Americans are celebrating following the collapse of the Assad regime. The Public’s Radio’s Luis Hernandez spoke with a local Syrian couple about what’s been happening in Syria and how they see its political future unfolding

With the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, we wanted to hear from members of the local Syrian community to see what they think about the regime and the aftermath so far. We reached out to two Syrian-Americans we’ve spoken to before on the Public’s Radio, Amjad Kinjawi and Mayss Bajbouj-Kinjawi of North Attleboro.

Interview highlights:

On the reaction of Syrians to the fall of Assad:

Amjad: It’s a mixed emotion, considering that it’s quite an overdue moment that we were waiting for for a long time now. There’s a lot of joy, that’s for sure. But there’s a little bit of caution, as well, on what to expect. You don’t want a regime to fall and somebody else to take over and not be at the level of what the expectation of the people is.

Mayss: From people like my sister, I hear that they’re happy. My friends are happy to finally start a new chapter in our life with a different person. But as well, everyone is waiting, we are in a waiting time. Refugees had a really hard time because they had to flee Syria. You know, they were attacking them. They were torturing them. So for them to see Assad falling, it’s a big happiness, but it’s think they are still looking for justice because he hurt so many people.

This interview was conducted by The Public's Radio. You can read the entire story here.

A thirty-year radio veteran. Experience working as a reporter, producer, anchor, and host. A playful soul who has lived and worked in places like Denver, Colorado, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Miami, Florida. Now, just trying to become a Rhode Islander through and through.
The local voice on Weekend Edition for several years, Joe stepped into the role of morning producer in October 2023. Joe is also a reporter, covering stories in the field and conducting interviews with newsmakers.
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