SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) -- A Sioux Falls restaurant owner has been anxiously watching developments unfold in Syria following the overthrow of the repressive regime of Bashar al-Assad. Noem remains governor as Burgum makes way in ND Sanaa Abourezk has family living in Syria and has been concerned for their safety as her former homeland transitions to new leadership. Abourezk says she was surprised at how quickly rebel forces took control of Syria, ending years of a bitter civil war. "We were glued, literally glued on the TV and the international media and all the experts from all over the world were surprised," Abourezk said. Abourezk, who owns Sanaa's Gourmet Mediterranean, has been in constant contact with her Syrian family members since the fall of the Assad regime. She says despite the images of Syrians celebrating in the streets, most people have been staying inside, at home. But there are encouraging signs of life returning to normal. "My sister told me she's going to go back to work Monday, today. Today she's going to open her clinic, she called her nurses," Abourezk said. Abourezk says Syria's new leaders seem to be saying all the right things when it comes to bringing democratic reforms to her native country. But this expert chef is taking everything with a grain of salt. "Words are cheap. An announcement is like every two minutes. But I want to see actions," Abourezk said. Abourezk, along with the wider world, are watching whether bad actors within Syria may try to exploit the fragile transfer of power. "We know that what happens inside of Syria can have powerful consequences well beyond its borders from mass displacement to terrorism. And we know that we can't underestimate the challenges of this moment," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday. Abourezk says both her staff and her customers have been very supportive during these challenging times in Syria. "People who follow my cooking things, how's your family? We're so sorry. What can we do? Human beings, they can be cruel, but they can also be so wonderful," Abourezk said. Abourezk left Syria nearly 40 years ago to attend college in the United States. But her thoughts are always with the country she left behind, and what the future holds for the Syrian people. "Wait and see. That's basically right now. They're just hoping for the best, for the sake of the country," Abourezk said. Abourezk is even planning a trip to Syria to see her family in March. But she says the visit will depend on whether it's safe to travel there.