As a result of the bombing attack during a demonstration, retired Adil Suleiman al Kallawi-Abu Ahmed lost his son. He says he is not planning to go back to Syria even if the regimes changes.
ORSAM: Could you briefly tell us about yourself?
Adil Suleiman Al Kallawi-Abu Ahmed: I was retired from Aleppo Foundations. I am 63 years old. I had two daughters and a son. My son was killed during the bombardment, and we migrated from Aleppo to Turkey along with my widow daughter-in-law and my three grandchildren.
ORSAM: Could you tell us about your experiences during the civil war in Syria, and the reasons that bring you to Turkey?
Adil Suleiman Al Kallawi-Abu Ahmed: My son Ahmed was graduated from University of Aleppo, Department of Arabic Language and Literature. His graduate friends from the same department were assigned to high positions as they took sides with Ba'ath, the power. While they received high salaries and were provided with good opportunities, none of my children or any children in my family took office due to the fact that I do not support Ba'ath and people in my family are against the regime. My son was a university graduate. But still, he opened a stall and worked in a vegetable market. He was constantly under pressure while working. When the civil war broke out, he had to join Jaish al Hur and started to fight along with them, stage demonstrations and take part in actions. During a demonstration, he was shot and killed in Aleppo. Some of my relatives, neighbors and friends went to Lebanon, and some others to Jordan. And I came to Turkey. We cannot hear from each other. Everybody is struggling for their life.
I rented an apartment in Reyhanlı, Hatay. My children, daughter-in-law, and I live in a two-room apartment. A Syrian opened a restaurant here. I work as a cleaning worker here. My daily wage is 20 liras. I also bring leftovers, vegetable-fruit from the restaurant to back home. I also received aids from various aid societies. For now, I can meet the needs at home. My house in Aleppo was destroyed as a result of the bombardment. I am planning to stay in Turkey for a long time as I do not have a roof over my head in Syria anymore even if the regime changes.
* This interview was made by Feyyat Özyazar in Reyhanlı district of Hatay on 15 January 2013.
