Yalla Erhal Ya Bashar (song)

"Yalla Erhal Ya Bashar" (Arabic: إرحل يا بشار, romanized: Yalla Irhal ya Bashar, lit. 'Leave, O Bashar') is one of the most memorable iconic slogans of the Syrian revolution that began in 2011 as part of the broader Arab Spring, it also was turned into a song by Ibrahim Qashoush. This chant encapsulated the widespread anger and demands for freedom, dignity, and justice against the regime of former President Bashar al-Assad. It was resonated throughout Syria. The anthem was composed by the Syrian poet-singer Ibrahim Qashoush, who played a crucial role in transforming popular discontent into a symbol of resistance.^[1]

Protesters chant "Yalla Erhal Ya Bashar" during an evening demonstration in Hama's Assi Square.

Consequently, he left a huge impact on Syrian society and the world’s perception of the conflict.^[2] The peaceful protesters demanded, through this phrase – and other similar ones – that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who had led the republic since the presidential referendum in 2000 until his downfall, to step down.^[1]

Origins

Demonstration in Homs, Syria against the Assad regime.

The slogan "Erhal ya Bashar" originated during the beginning of the Syrian revolution in 2011. Demonstrators in cities such as Daraa, Homs, and Hama began chanting it to demand the resignation of President Bashar al-Assad, whose regime was widely accused of authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses. The chant gained momentum as protests spread across the country, and it became a unifying call for Syrians from diverse backgrounds.

The chant’s popularity was amplified by its simplicity and directness, which allowed it to resonate across Syria’s linguistic and cultural divides. It was often accompanied by other slogans calling for freedom (الحُرّيّة), dignity (الكرامة), and the downfall of the regime (الشَّعْبٟ يُرِيدُ إسْقَاطَ الْنِظَامْ).^[2]

Ibrahim Qashoush

Main article: Ibrahim Qashoush

Hundreds of thousands of protesters parade the flag of Syria and shout "Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam" in the Assi square of Hama during the siege in July 2011.

Ibrahim al-Qashoush, a fireman from Hama with a talent for music and poetry, emerged as the composer of the anthem that carried the slogan. Al-Qashoush transformed the chant into a full-fledged protest song, energizing demonstrators. Al-Qashoush was from the city of Hama, and became known for leading demonstrations calling for the overthrow of the regime.^[3] Most of the anti-government slogans directed at the Syrian government and its leaders were personally composed by al-Qashoush.

On Friday, July 1, 2011, during what protesters called "Leave Friday" (جمعة ارحل) in Hama Governorate, he led the demonstration with the chant "Yalla, leave, Bashar," as approximately half a million demonstrators gathered in Assi Square, demanding the fall of the regime.^[4][5]

The lyrics, often improvised, mocked Assad and his regime, calling for their downfall in humorous and biting language. The refrain, "Yalla Erhal ya Bashar" ("Come on, leave, Bashar"), became a rallying cry for the movement.^[2]

Lyrics to the song "Yalla Erhal Ya Bashar":

يا بشّار ويا مندسّ
وتضرب أنت وحزب البعث
"وروح وصلّح حرف الـ"س
ويلا إرحل يا بشّار
...
يا بشّار ويا جبان
ودّي جنودك عالجولان
الشّعب السّوري مَبينهان
ويلا إرحل يا بشّار
...
يا ماهر ويا جبان
ويا عميل الأمريكان
الشّعب السّوري مبينهان
ويلا إرحل يا بشّار
...
يا بشّار ويا كذّاب
وتضرب أنت وهالخطاب
الحرّية صارت على الباب
ويلا إرحل يا بشّار
...
يا بشّار ومالك منّا
خود ماهر وإرحل عنّا
وهاي شرعيّتك سقطت عنّا
ويلا إرحل يا بشّار
...
ويا بشّار وكفّي تدور
ودمّك بحماة مهدور
وخطأك مالو مغفور
ويلا إرحل يا بشّار
...
ويا بشّار وطز فيك
وطز باللي بيحيّيك
ومالي قادر طلّع فيك
ويلا إرحل يا بشّار

Translation:

Oh Bashar, you’re just a spy,
You and Ba'ath can’t pacify.
Go fix your “S” before you lie,
It’s time to leave now, Bashar, bye!
...
Oh Bashar, you’re such a coward,
Send your troops where they're empowered—
To Golan Heights, not on us showered!
It’s time to leave now, Bashar, bye!
...
Oh Maher, you’re just as weak,
An agent for the U.S. clique.
Our Syrian pride, you cannot tweak,
It’s time to leave now, Bashar, bye!
...
Oh Bashar, deceit’s your art,
Your speeches rot, they lack a heart.
But freedom's here, so now depart—
It’s time to leave now, Bashar, bye!
...
Oh Bashar, you’re not our kin,
Take Maher too, and pack him in.
Your false rule’s done; it’s all chagrin,
It’s time to leave now, Bashar, bye!
...
Oh Bashar, your crimes still roar,
Your hands are stained with Hama’s gore.
Forgiveness? None—it’s war no more.
It’s time to leave now, Bashar, bye!
...
Oh Bashar, we’ve had enough,
Your praise is hollow, fake, and bluff.
I can’t stand you; your time is up—
It’s time to leave now, Bashar, bye!

Response

The regime’s response to the protests was swift. Security forces cracked down on demonstrators with live ammunition, arrests, and torture. Ibrahim Qashoush became a target due to the popularity of his song and his role as a prominent voice of dissent. On July 3, 2011, Qashoush was abducted by pro-regime forces. His mutilated body was later found in the Orontes River in Hama, his vocal cords removed.

Qashoush’s murder shocked Syrians and the international community, turning him into a symbol of the sacrifices made by those who stood against the Assad regime.^[2]

See also

• Syria portal

• Syrian revolution
• Ibrahim Qashoush
• Hama
• Bashar al-Assad
• Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam