From Fear to Pride: Syrians Share Their "Wanted" Status After Assad's Regime

Syrians can now inquire about their status on the Assad regime's wanted lists at passport offices, embracing what was once a source of dread. This shift marks a significant change in attitudes as many take pride in being recognized as resistance figures against a brutal dictatorship.

In a poignant shift in societal perspective, many Syrians are embracing a former source of dread associated with the Assad regime—the status of being “wanted.” A recent returnee, Kazem Togan, found out from a passport control agent that he was listed under the notorious branch 235 of the ousted regime’s intelligence. Rather than feeling fear, he expressed thrill, viewing this label as a form of pride.

During the Assad dictatorship, being listed as wanted could mean imprisonment or worse, but Togan clarified that today, discussions around one’s status as “wanted” have become part of everyday conversation and even social media banter. “Every Syrian asks as a matter of routine, ‘Was I wanted?’” he stated.

The Assad family's ruling regime relied heavily on terror tactics for over five decades, consolidating power through widespread fear. With the recent liberation from this autocracy, former fear has morphed into a symbol of resistance. Those who one feared would be taken by security forces are now bravely questioning and flaunting their histories. To many, being recognized as “wanted” is now a testament to their courage in opposing a regime that inflicted unspeakable suffering on its own citizens to maintain control.

This change in attitude is a powerful reflection of the broader transformation within Syrian society, reclaiming agency over narratives once dominated by fear. As the country continues to navigate the aftermath of civil war, these new expressions of identity and storytelling signify resilience and the complex legacy of survival amidst tyranny.