How A Syrian Teen’s Graffiti Triggered President Al Assad’s Fall 13 Years Ago
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The graffiti was the response of years of frustration, as it was a way to express themselves for Mouawiya and his friends, who were abused by the authoritarian police.
A 14-year-old Mouawiya Syasneh spray-painted a wall with words that would have grave implications. (Image: X)
A massive civil war that changed the course of Syria in early 2011 began with a teenager’s rebellious act against President Bashar al-Assad’s “authoritarian regime” in the streets of southern Syria’s town of Daraa.
A 14-year-old Mouawiya Syasneh spray-painted a wall with words that would have grave implications.
“Ejak el door, ya doctor (It’s your turn, Doctor),” Mouawiya sprayed the words in reference to Assad’s medical background. These words sparked a civil war in the region, which led to the reshaping of country’s destiny.
The graffiti was the response of years of frustration, as it was a way to express themselves for Mouawiya and his friends, who were abused by the authoritarian police. But this act of rebellion against Assad’s regime drew a swift and brutal response.
For 26 days, Mouawiya and his friends were held captive by the Mukhabarat, the secret police. They were allegedly tortured and abused, and their final release only made the people of Daraa more irate.
The boys’ arrest became a rallying cry as protests erupted not only in Daraa but across entire Syria. Parents, neighbours, and activists who had protested for their release were met with tear gas and bullets. Images of the beaten lads went viral, and the event became a focal point.
On March 15, 2011, Syria witnessed its first coordinated “Day of Rage,” transforming local unrest into a nationwide movement demanding freedom and the end of Assad’s regime.
The Effect of Dominoes
The response that came against the moment was brutal. Peaceful protesters were fired at openly by security forces. Countless Syrians were arrested and tortured. The moment was inspired by the Arab Spring.
In July 2011, defectors from Assad’s military formed the Free Syrian Army (FSA). However, they lacked unity and funding. This vacuum allowed extremist groups, such as Jabhat al-Nusra and later the Islamic State, to rise, capitalising on the chaos and sectarian fractures.
Assad’s Ouster
After 13 years, Syrian rebel factions declared that the country has been “liberated” after they stormed the capital city of Damascus and announced that Assad had fled the capital city to an unknown destination.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said Assad left on a private plane that took off from Damascus international airport at 10:00 pm (1900 GMT) on Saturday night, without specifying where he headed.
There have been speculations that Assad have been killed after it abruptly reversed course and flew in the opposite direction for several minutes before vanishing from radar near the city of Homs, Reuters reported.
- Location :
Damascus, Syria
