The deteriorating security, economic, and living conditions in Syria have pushed many young people to seek asylum outside their homeland — in Turkey or Europe — in a bid to overcome life’s difficulties and problems and lead a decent life away from the conflict in their country.

Although human smuggling is a major crime and is illegal, it is very common in Syria, whether to neighboring countries or within various parts of Syria where different authorities have influence.

The smugglers are using several means to promote their work, including placing ads in Facebook groups or posting TikTok videos that encourage people, especially the youth, to start their asylum journey immediately — while depicting this difficult and often deadly journey as a joyride.

Ahmed al-Hamidy, a smuggler in northwestern Syria, told Al-Monitor, “I used to place ads in Facebook groups. But many tried to stop me from convincing potential customers, saying that I was lying about the risks involved [in the smuggling operation] or about mentioning that there is another smuggler who would help them enter Turkey at a lower price. This prompted me to resort to another way to promote my activity. I recently started posting 15-second videos on TikTok, which is the best platform to promote our work. I created these videos carefully, using a special shot and motivational background audio that is catchy for the younger generation and lifts their spirits.”