I think they just want a normal life. I imagine that average Syrian citizens are probably divided into two camps. Those that just want to get out, and those that have been pushed too far and want to do something about it. Both love their home and just want safety, stability, freedom, and the ability to earn a living in a place where their children can earn a living.

My fiancee's family is Armenian and Iraqi. Her sister was actually born in Baghdad. Her father fled Armenia to Iraq because of the genocide. They know a thing or two about oppression, violence, instability, and the choices you have to make when you're confronted with it. Being from Baghdad, her father actually supported the invasion of Iraq because of how brutal Saddam was. This surprised me, as they are Chaldean, and Chaldeans were comparatively protected under his reign. I guess it doesn't matter. Living under the whimsy of a brutal dictator probably doesn't feel to good even if his gaze isn't currently directed at you. It would probably be impossible to put into words how profoundly disappointed he was with our country's handling of the invasion, and what happened in the aftermath, but it was probably an affirmation of his decision to become an expat in another country.