The Audio Long Read ‘What reconciliation? What forgiveness?’: Syria’s deadly reckoning
Oct 13, 2025
In a poignant exploration of Syria's turmoil, two friends navigate a landscape marred by sectarian violence and revenge killings. As chaos reigns post-Assad, interviews reveal deep scars and a refusal to forgive without justice. Munir and Enes, from conflicting backgrounds, face personal and communal tragedies while displaying acts of silent solidarity amid the bloodshed. A failed rescue exposes the brutal reality of survival, while warnings about a cycle of reprisal violence highlight the urgency for a new social contract.
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When Sect Marked Life Or Death
- Munir and his family hid as government troops and militiamen raided their Khosur neighbourhood, deciding fates by asking if people were Sunni or Alawite.
- His brother was taken, shot on the roof, and only one son survived to call Munir, marking the moment they feared their turn.
Promises Versus New Governing Reality
- Ahmed al-Shara issued amnesty and promised a transitional government while presenting as conciliatory and Western-dressed, reassuring some Syrians initially.
- Yet his administration quickly resembled the previous Islamist leadership and failed to deliver inclusive governance.
Engage To Shape The New State
- Engage with new authorities pragmatically to influence the state's direction and avoid complete collapse into violence.
- Munir counselled Alawite communities to support the emergent authority to reduce the chance of a worse power vacuum.
