Reports | 25 05 2020
The stream of breaking news on most of Arab and Western media was incessant; on the heels of the terrorist attack on the French capital, Paris, on Friday evening, which killed 128 people dead and wounded circa 200.
Syrian Passport: Neither Destroyed, nor Coming from Naught!
As would be expected, the news of the attack and the number of victims made the rounds among Syrians on social networks—much like any other news that may concern them. But on Saturday afternoon, media reported breaking news quoting French police as saying they had found a Syrian passport next to the body of one of the Paris suicide bombers. This sparked a wave of cynicism that swept through social networking sites.
Fadi Zaidan, sarcastically commenting on the news, writes: "The Syrian passport is a pride of national industry; it is neither damaged, nor explode, nor will come to naught.”
Hazem Dakel, on the other hand, sneers: “This passport—is it issued by the regime, the [Opposition Syrian National] Coalition, or by Sarmada [fictional character from the eponymous novel by Fadi Azzam], my dear?”
Forgery and issuance of false official Syrian documents Syria has become active in recent years—both in the areas under the control of the Syrian regime, as well as those beyond its control. Dutch journalist Harald Doornebos had been, for example, able to obtain a Syrian passport, and ID card, in the name of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, with exceptional ease—according to the dutch newspaper New Review.
The journalist stated that all that as required to obtain the passport as the telephone number of a document forger, 750 euros, and a wait of 40 hours—after which the passport would land in your hands.
Out of the Frying Pan—Into the Fire!
Some Syrians expressed their discontent with these news, which they found would affect Syrian refugees, particularly in Europe; where an increasing number voices are being raised, demanding a limitation on the number of refugees received. Writes Tammam Huneidy: "a Syrian passport in the Paris bombings. There are a number of popular sayings that fit the description of our current state—the most important of which is ‘out of the frying pan, and into the fire!’”
Mohammed al-Sayyed feels that these attacks will adversely affect the situation of Syrian refugees in Europe, especially in France. He says: “Borders will soon be closed in front of the refugees… We will have more than our fair share of racism and attacks on [refugee] camps."
Syrian Regime Media Sweeps the World!
With the onset of the Syrian Revolution in March 2011, the official Syrian media and the media loyal to the regime, never ceased to deny what was happening in Syria. After hearing the news of a Syrian passport found in the Paris attacks; many Syrians were reminded of situations they had lived through over the years. Alaa Shehadeh writes: "Syrian passport next to a "suicide bomber…” That reminds me of the loaves of bread [pro-regime] Addounia channel used to place near the bomb casualties the regime used to stage in Damascus! Just a whiff of similarity!"
Rawand Tawfiq, on the other hand, expresses his astonishment, saying: “What need doe a terrorist have of carrying a passport on him? How will he blow himself up, but the passport remained unscathed? What is this tomfoolery? Not even Addounia [channel] would do something like this!”