Refugees in Mass concerned with loved ones in war-torn Syria

LOWELL, Mass. — A family of Syrian refugees based in Lowell, Massachusetts, fears for their war-torn homeland and their family and friends who couldn't make it out of Aleppo.

Tensions have been high in Syria and neighboring countries ever since 2011 when the Syrian civil war broke out, but more recently, the chemical attack on civilians, along with President Trump's tweets in response to the attack, has everyone even more on edge.

The United Nations has reported more than 400,000 people have been killed since the war started.

"We have people dying in my country and we can do nothing," said Mohamad Abdo.

Trump said Wednesday that missiles "will be coming" in response to Syria's suspected chemical attack, adding "Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and 'smart!'"

Due to the horrific attacks on the Syrian population and millions being displaced from their war-torn country, dozens are expected to take part in what is being called 'an emergency protest for no war in Syria,' set to start at 6:30 p.m. on Boston's Copley Square.

The Abdo family, who have been living in Lowell for about two years, said that while, they appreciate the support from the protest, they still worry about relatives back home who weren't able to escape.

They told Boston 25 News they have no way of knowing if their family members back in Syria are alive after their grandmother's house was recently bombed.

"We call, no answer, you can't imagine [if] they are lost [or if] they are safe - we are so confused," said Zalikha Abdo.

Zainab Abdo, 22, lives in constant fear for her family back home and stays glued to Arabic TV stations in hopes for any new information.

Zainab doesn't know if her relatives are even alive as most communication to Syria has been cut off. However, she fears that even more lives will be lost if the U.S. gets involved in her country's civil war.

"President Trump, he can [with] just one tweet, he can change the war," said Zainab.

Nearly two years ago, the Abdo family came to live in Lowell as refugees - mother, father and their 5 children.

They said they left everything behind and have no pictures of their life back in Syria.

Initially, the family lived in Turkey for three years before they were able to move to the U.S.

It was a rough start for the Abdos who not only barely made it out of Syria alive when their Aleppo home was bombed, but also didn't speak any English when they first arrived in Massachusetts.

Mohamad Abdo, 18, now attends Lowell High School, but told Boston 25 News his immediate family barely made it out of Syria alive after their home in Aleppo was bombed.

"People killed in front of me, I just run, escape," said Mohamad. "My father said 'if one of us die, don't look back, just go. Just run, don't look back."

"Go just one day to Syria, leave just one day - I promise you will change you mind, you will change everything you say and do," said Zalikha.

Cox Media Group