They Fought for Assad in Syria. Now They’re Handing in Their Guns.

In a former police station in Latakia, Syria, the past and the present collide. Once controlled by the Assad regime, the compound is now run by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham — the group that spearheaded the offensive which toppled President Bashar al-Assad just over a week ago. For those who were formerly part of Assad’s forces, this is a moment of surrender — and survival, as failing to comply could mean imprisonment, prosecution or worse. Ali Adra, a former army medical officer, says he’s accepted his reality. The change in Syria has been fast, and the stakes are high. But not everyone gets a second chance. Here in Latakia, these soldiers seek closure, but the path forward remains uncertain.