Struggling fortunes amidst conflict's chaos
After fourteen long years of conflict, the Syrian civil war has finally come to an end with the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, 2024. This historic event has resulted in a significant movement of displaced families returning to their hometowns.
One such family is Farah's, who are making their way back to Khan Sheikhoun, a city near the Syrian-Turkish border that was once home to them. Khan Sheikhoun became a refuge for opposition forces during the war, but now, as the regime falls, families are returning to their homes.
Idlib, a city that has been contested since 2011, has become a sanctuary for many displaced people over the years. Hundreds of thousands of civilians have lived in Idlib, residing in simple houses or tents in refugee camps. Despite the challenging conditions, the experiences of the war have united the Syrian society, contrary to the Assad regime's plans.
However, not all is well in Idlib. The current situation of children worsens as their friends leave and families return to their hometowns, leading to increased isolation, disruption of social bonds, and deteriorating living and educational conditions amid ongoing conflict and destruction.
In the largely destroyed state of Syria, life is reported as being between rubble and dreams by journalists like Omayma Mohamad, who has been reporting on human rights, women's issues, education, and environmental topics since 2018.
Meanwhile, Malak, a nine-year-old girl, has a friend named Farah with whom she played for three years in the alleys of Wadi al-Naseem, Idlib. But as Farah's family prepares to return to their hometown, Malak fears the loss of her friend and the emptying of houses in Idlib neighborhoods.
On a positive note, over 500,000 internally displaced persons have returned to their areas of origin since December 2024, while over 400,000 refugees have returned to Syria from abroad during the same period. The return of these families marks a new chapter in the history of Syria, as they rebuild their lives and communities.
A hybrid workshop was held by the Panther Foundation, bringing together journalists from Damascus to Qamishli, to report on these developments and the challenges faced by the returning families. The workshop aimed to provide a platform for these journalists to share their experiences and insights, and to help shed light on the ongoing efforts to rebuild Syria.
However, not all families are returning to their hometowns. The village Tarmala in the south of the Idlib province is no longer habitable due to its complete destruction. Khan Sheikhoun, too, was attacked with sarin gas in 2017, forcing its residents to flee. A return to Tarmala is not currently planned, and the fate of Khan Sheikhoun's residents remains uncertain.
Despite these challenges, the return of displaced families to their homes in Syria is a significant step towards rebuilding the country and healing the wounds of war. As families reunite and communities rebuild, the hope for a better future in Syria grows stronger.
