Students from rebel areas unable to complete university studies

EDUCATION EMBARGO: Throughout rebel controlled areas of Syria, university students find themselves unable to return to school, fearing arrest or retribution because of the neighborhood or town they come from.

The problem is made worse by the fact that many Syrian universities are located in areas under regime control.

“I haven’t returned to my university studies there [University of Damascus] because I’m worried about checkpoints on the way—I’m worried that I’ll be arrested because I’m originally from East Ghouta which is what happened to my friend last year,” a university student who preferred to remain anonymous told Syria Direct on Sunday.

“For two years I haven’t been able to complete the requirements for my final year,” he added.

Above, a rescue worker in Aleppo holds a sign that reads, “My dream is to return to my university,” in a picture posted to Facebook on Saturday by the Syrian Civil Defense.