The neighbors in Damascus described Bashar al-Assad.

Life in Damascus began to return to normal after the end of the 61-year Baath regime in Syria and the escape of the ousted leader Bashar al-Assad to Russia. Neighbors living on the same street as the Assad family also breathed a sigh of relief.

"THERE WERE HOUSES WHERE THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO RAISE THE CURTAINS"

According to a report by AP, neighbors describing the difficulties of living on the same street as Assad said, "Of course, we faced many difficulties. There were houses where they were not allowed to raise the curtains. We faced many challenges. As neighbors, a mistake here would result in someone from outside receiving ten times the punishment because we were from the area. You understand what I mean, every word was measured, every move was scrutinized."

"WE HAD NO ADVANTAGE"

While strict control was applied to everyone except the Assad family, it was noted that people could not freely go outside or invite guests to their homes. One neighbor stated, "We had no advantage, only harm. Whenever we had guests, we had to go to the intelligence services. We would go to them and give the name of the visitor."

"ASSAD INSTALLED BULLET-PROOF GLASS"

A Syrian who observed what was happening just hours before the regime fell in Damascus said that Assad changed the windows of his house to bullet-proof glass as a precaution. The neighbor recalled, "I remember when the revolution started, they were scared and shells were raining down here. They were afraid and brought workers to change the glass. They reinforced the glass and made it bullet and shrapnel-proof."