When the uprising began

When the uprising began
Houda Atassi was working as a civil engineer in Homs in western Syria when the uprising against Assad began. In April 2011, as protesters began gathering in Homs’ Clock Square, Atassi joined them.

Like many women, she brought her children along. For hours, she said, people stood and peacefully protested, for “freedom, justice, dignity, and pride.” Around midnight, regime forces began shooting.

“I saw the first man killed. He was killed in front of his wife and children. My children were so afraid. We left, running to the car,” said Atassi. Though they escaped unharmed, she said, “this made me look for victims of the regime … This is when I decided to help.”

As the protest and violence by Assad forces escalated, Atassi began volunteering for International Humanitarian Relief, an NGO that provides emergency aid to vulnerable populations. Her family volunteered too.

In late 2012, her son, who was then 17, was detained at a Red Cross checkpoint in Homs while en route to distribute supplies to protesters. He was released only a week later. “Then myself and my family received direct threats for our humane work,” said Atassi. “That’s when we decided to leave.”

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