Matthew R. Steven, a
researcher at York University in Canada, has a report at Syria Comment
detailing the views of Syrian refugees in Irbid, The city is the second largest
in Jordan and now hosts 160,000 Syrian refugees. Stevens emphasizes the
difficulty of knowing the “representativeness” of opinions he sampled, but
conveys opposition on the part of those canvassed to a foreign intervention that would
renew the war. The refugees see the Free Syrian Army as weak and divided, a minor player alongside Assad and ISIS. These excerpts are about a third of the original:
Opportunistic sampling of Syrians
living in Irbid has revealed greater diversity in political leanings than
initially expected. Few report being staunch supporters of either Asad or the
FSA. Irrespective of previous political hopes for Syria, many seem to be
playing a pragmatic game of reconciliation—re-obscuring political affiliations
in a preparation for rehabilitation with the regime. . . .
There is little enthusiasm for a
reinvigorated FSA making a new bid for power: Syrians canvassed are simply not
in favour of another long phase of civil war fueled by further foreign
influence. Political dreams are seen as waning in importance in the face of
overwhelming desire to cut losses and restart lives—people yearn for careers,
home ownership, marriage, children, all of which are near impossible for
displaced Syrians in the current political climate in Jordan. Many are actively
considering return in the short term, despite the risks. This is especially so
for those who originated from areas such as Suwayda, which have already been
reclaimed by SAA forces. Others talk of restarting lives in Damascus, though
they cite the dangers of a life riddled with government checkpoints while
carrying identification which associates them with the rebellious province of
Dar’a.
While these findings can not be
assumed reflect the desires of all Syrians in Jordan—notably they do not
include residents of Zaatari, who are reported to be more staunch FSA
supporters—I suspect that a concrete offer of amnesty from Asad, backed up by
safe and successful reintegration of those who first repatriate, could spark
large numbers of urban-based Syrians to return. Exhausted by the refugee
experience, repatriated Syrians may constitute a major influence on the
conflict sooner rather than later.
* * *
Matthew R. Stevens, “Dreaming
of Home: Syrian Refugees in Jordan’s Cities—Will They Be Repatriated?” Syria Comment, September 16, 2014
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