I was a commander in the Syrian Air Force when the war started, however I am also an eye doctor. My duties included managing and dispatching three squadrons of aircraft.

As the war developed, and the orders came down to bomb populated civilian areas, Syrian pilots began to defect. I watched as pilots under my command flew to Jordan for asylum.

After questioning the integrity of the military operations I too climbed into a MIG and flew to freedom. Today I live as a refugee, but practice medicine in the camps to provide help to other Syrian refugees. It is such a complex situation to address the civil unrest, where will we find the answers?

My heart bleeds for all Syrian civilians still trapped in our war torn country.