The Syrian Civil War Pt.3: The Arab Spring Hits Aleppo

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Mar 12, 2025

Ronnie Hamada, a Syrian Kurd, shares his gripping experiences as a civilian during the Syrian Civil War. He recounts the harrowing moments of witnessing classmates attacked during Arab Spring protests and the escalating violence in Aleppo. Ronnie reflects on a traumatic internet cafe robbery and the chaos leading to his family's decision to flee to Afrin. He discusses the rise of Kurdish armed groups and the profound impact of the war on civilians, offering an intimate perspective on survival and resistance amid turmoil.

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ANECDOTE

Death of Anas

Ronnie witnessed the death of Anas, a medicine student and distant relative, during a protest in March 2012.
This event made him fear for his life and stop participating in protests directly.

ANECDOTE

Aleppo's Deterioration

Ronnie stopped protesting after his relative Anas was killed during a protest.
Violence escalated in Aleppo with checkpoints proliferating and the regime's grip tightening.

ANECDOTE

Robbery at Internet Cafe

At an internet cafe, Ronnie was robbed at knife and gunpoint by men who looked foreign.
This highlighted the breakdown of law and order and the rise of criminality amidst the conflict.

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This week on Conflicted, Ronnie Hamada is back with Thomas to describe his experiences as a Kurdish civilian during the Syrian Civil War, as we continue our retrospective on that most complex of conflicts. And this week, after setting up some Kurdish history last time, Ronnie takes us through what it was like to live through the Arab Spring protests as a university student, where he saw his classmates attacked by Assad backed thugs, and as violence increased around him by the day.

In a gripping conversation, Ronnie recounts some harrowing experiences, detailing a terrifying robbery at an internet cafe, the escalating violence in Aleppo, and the eventual decision to flee to Afrin. He shares the impact of the war on civilians, the rise of the PYD and YPG, and his family's efforts to navigate the chaos.

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