The Syrian regime’s latest announcement, stating that it will cede control of its chemical arsenal to the international community, has started a big fuss and a heated debate between Syrians. Syria Untold spoke to several citizens still living within Syrian territory, to explore their opinions regarding this rapid set of changes and their impact.

Rima, a Syrian girl still working at a state institution, thinks that handing over chemical weapons is a good step, because those weapons were never used except against Syrian people. She firmly opposes the potential air strike, claiming that it will “open the gates of hell." “The moment when the regime falls and the absence of state authority frightens her, and she still hopes for a political settlement.

Engineer Yassar Mohammed from the city of Deir Zor, considers the regime took a smart step to avoid the US strike, which he opposes because “The west’s least concern is our demands of freedom and democracy." Although the act of handing the weapons worries him, he believes it is better than giving excuses to the U.S. and other countries, to interfere and destroy what’s left of Syria.

Translator Rana Hassan, who felt utterly humiliated due to the regime’s decision, is also against the U.S. strike. “First of all, my two brothers are serving in the army, and I don’t want them to get hurt, so it’s kind of personal. Second of all, I doubt that this strike will affect the regime, it will make up for it with bombs and missiles”.

There is also division within the communities that are still supportive of the Syrian regime, Some argue that it means avoiding a U.S. strike, while others feel like this will only postpone the air strike.

Although the “Chemical Deal” as Syrians describe it, has reduced the chances of a strike, Syrians feel like they’re living on an edge, and that this agreement is a prelude leading to other extortions. Their uprising and legitimate demands continue to be drowned out by the international geopolitical conversations.