Thwaiba Kanafani facts for kids

Thwaiba Kanafani is a Canadian and Syrian engineer. In 2012, she decided to volunteer and help people in Syria. She wanted to fight against the government of Bashar al Assad. Her decision was reported by news all over the world.

In August 2012, a writer named Tom Coghlan from The Times newspaper called her "the female face of the Syrian revolution." She encouraged other women to join the Free Syrian Army. News stories about her encouraged young people to travel to Syria to help.

Early Life and Moving to Canada

Thwaiba Kanafani was born in Damascus, Syria in 1972. She worked as an engineer in the United Arab Emirates. In 2002, she moved to Canada. She and her husband started a family in Toronto.

Why She Volunteered

Before she decided to volunteer, Thwaiba talked a lot online about the difficult situation in Syria. She was very worried about the many innocent people who were dying. Her older brother encouraged her to help. Her husband and children supported her. They moved to Egypt while Thwaiba traveled to Turkey for training.

The Free Syrian Army made a video to encourage people to join. In the video, Thwaiba Kanafani was shown with other fighters. She announced that she had joined a group called the Banner of Damascus Falcons Troop of Aleppo Martyrs.

Returning Home

In early August 2012, Thwaiba Kanafani went back into Turkey. This happened after a dangerous event where some people with her were harmed.

In October 2012, Armina Ligaya wrote in the National Post about Thwaiba's return to Canada. Thwaiba said she still wanted to go back to Syria to help. She had not fought on the front lines, which means she wasn't in the most dangerous parts of the fighting. She also didn't have to use her weapon. Her work included going to meetings, visiting places where people who had to leave their homes were staying, and helping to find more volunteers. She also secretly explored areas that were still controlled by the government.

In October 2012, Simon Kent wrote about Khaled Sawaf in the Toronto Sun. Khaled Sawaf was the president of the Syrian Canadian Council. He talked about people like Thwaiba Kanafani. He said that many Syrians found safety in Canada. He explained that Syrians in Canada are thankful to be free and safe. But they still worry about their friends and family who are still in Syria.

By 2015, the Toronto Star newspaper reported that Thwaiba Kanafani had left the fighting. She had become disappointed with the situation.