Part 5/7:
The rebel gains have stirred both hope and trepidation among Syrian civilians. While there may be relief at the decline of the Assad regime’s authority, many remain apprehensive about the prospect of governance by rebel factions. Some of these groups carry a history of hardline authoritarianism, raising questions about how they will treat minorities and manage law and order in liberated areas. Local communities are filled with uncertainty about the future, particularly concerning potential reprisals from the Syrian government amid ongoing skirmishes.