A SYRIAN dad who escaped war-torn Aleppo and is now living in Greenock fears for his family’s future as he faces a devastating battle with multiple sclerosis.

Dad-of-two Osama Tabanjat Karbouj escaped the besieged city three years ago with his wife Dhuha.

They were brought to Greenock as part of Inverclyde’s refugee resettlement programme.

But the 31-year-old, who had a job as a tailor in Aleppo, now has to walk with a stick because of his MS.

He is deeply concerned that he will not be able to rebuild his life for his pregnant wife Dhuha and their two daughters.

Osama, a devoted dad to Leen, three, and Rimas, two, said: “My MS is getting worse and worse.

“I get good treatment here but sadly there is no cure.

“I am worried about how I support my family.

“It is very hard.

“I was a tailor in Aleppo and it was a good job.

“But the factory where I work was flattened.

“In Aleppo it was scary.

“There were rebels there and the government just kept on bombing.

“The bombs just kept on coming but we managed to get out.”

Osama and Dhuha, who left her family behind, fled Aleppo by making their way first to Egypt and then to Turkey.

Dhuha, 19, said: “We had to run from Syria. There were just bombs all the time.”

Now living safely in Greenock, Dhuha hopes that her family can get a chance at happiness and her husband’s health improves.

She said: “I am pregnant and I desperately want my family with me. They are in Turkey. I would like to go back home one day, if it is safe again.”

The family have been overwhelmed by the welcome they have had since arriving in Inverclyde a year ago.

So far Inverclyde has opened its doors to 23 families through the resettlement programme.

The last intake arrived in March this year.

They are supported by Inverclyde Council and the health and social care partnership as they aim to learn English and find work.

Millions of Syrian people have been displaced because of the civil war which has raged on for six years.

The battle between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and rebels has left 300,000 people dead and sparked huge international tensions.

Aleppo, where Osama and Dhuha lived, has endured the worst of the fighting as both sides fight for control.

The city has been razed to the ground with barely a building left standing.

For now the couple want to rebuild their lives in Greenock and give their children opportunities for the future.

Osama is pleased with how well his daughters have settled in.

He told the Tele: “My girls are speaking more English than Arabic now.

“I need a translator to speak to them!

“They are having no problem integrating!”