Overview
- One year after Bashar al-Assad’s fall, the ARD film “Syria: Struggle for the Future” reports continuing violence, with minority communities still targeted.
- Hassan Ahmed, an NGO worker featured in the documentary, alleges militias tied to the defence ministry repeatedly attack homes and civilians along the coast.
- Witness Rashid Soulaiman Saad describes his son’s execution during a massacre of Alawites and says it remains unclear who ordered the killings.
- Initial trials over such abuses are described by victims as unconvincing, reinforcing concerns about accountability under President Ahmed al-Scharaa’s leadership.
- The film also follows returnee Mohammed Shakir, whose German-funded move back included flights and €18,000 support but cost his family residency, as they confront devastation in Damascus and work to rebuild a livelihood.