Returning to Syria: Between loss and hope | DW News

Key Concepts

• Syrian Displacement Crisis: The large-scale forced displacement of millions of Syrians due to the conflict that began in 2011.
• Fall of the Assad Regime: The recent collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government, which has prompted some Syrians in exile to consider returning.
• Rebuilding Syria: The ongoing effort to reconstruct the country's infrastructure, institutions, and society after years of war.
• Cultural and Religious Rootedness: The desire for a sense of belonging and identity tied to one's homeland, particularly for families with children.
• Trauma and Resilience: The psychological impact of war and displacement, and the human capacity to endure and adapt.
• Generational Responsibility: The idea that the current generation's efforts are foundational for the future rebuilding by the next generation.
• Interim Government: The new governing body established after the fall of the Assad regime, tasked with rebuilding state institutions.
• Economic Crisis and Security Volatility: The ongoing challenges facing Syria, including a struggling economy and an unstable security situation.

Stories of Return and Rebuilding in Syria

Following the recent fall of the Assad regime, tens of thousands of Syrians who were forced to flee their homes due to the conflict that began in 2011 are now returning to their war-torn country. This summary details the experiences and motivations of three individuals who have chosen to return after years in exile, highlighting their hopes, struggles, and commitment to rebuilding Syria.

Fatimah's Return to Aleppo

Fatimah, along with her family, spent nearly a decade in Germany after fleeing violence in Aleppo. Her decision to return was primarily driven by a desire to provide her children with a culturally and religiously rooted home. She recounts experiencing a sense of being "strangers" in Germany, facing harassment due to differences in customs and traditions, which made life difficult. To mitigate the impact of displacement on her children, Fatimah personally escorts them to and from school, a departure from the school bus system they used in Germany, to ensure they don't feel the change.

A poignant symbol of her return is a turtle named Shakira, a pet her brother brought before they left during the uprising. The turtle, named after a trending World Cup song by the singer Shakira, miraculously survived on its own for years, a testament to resilience that resonates with Fatimah's own journey. She points out shrapnel damage to her family home from a 2012 bombing, expressing excitement not only about repairing her house but also contributing to the broader rebuilding of the country. Fatimah draws a parallel to the post-war renaissances in Germany and Japan, where citizens became more patriotic through the process of national reconstruction, a sentiment she wishes to instill in her children.

Aleppo, once Syria's largest and most prosperous city, was devastated by years of intense fighting between opposition forces and government troops loyal to Bashar al-Assad. Its historic neighborhoods and infrastructure remain largely in ruins.

Amriyakhan's Duty to Aleppo

Amriyakhan, a lawyer from Aleppo, experienced the conflict firsthand. He left Syria in 2013 to escape persecution by the Assad regime, eventually settling in Canada with his wife and two children, where he had secured permanent residency and was on track for citizenship. Despite building a new life abroad, Amriyakhan felt a deep connection to his homeland and a sense of duty to return. He describes his decision as "courageous," relinquishing his secure future in Canada to come back. He expresses immense happiness to be reunited with loved ones and his country, calling his previous life abroad an "illusion."

Amriyakhan's daily life in Aleppo involves navigating a city with limited electricity and damaged infrastructure. He recounts how a mortar attack destroyed a metallic tent and parts of his home, which they have since repaired. He notes the disbelief and concern from others who question his return, stating, "You're crazy to go back in these times." He acknowledges the possibility of a luxurious life abroad but prioritizes being with his family and in his country. He observes Syrians queuing at banks to receive salaries, expressing solidarity with their struggles.

A significant part of his return involves visiting a mosque built by his ancestors nearly 300 years ago in the old city center. His great-great-grandfather, Utman Bashayakan, was the ruler of Aleppo in the 18th century. The mosque, built in 1728, was heavily damaged by regime shelling but has been restored by the family. He points to the graveyard where his relatives are buried, explaining his deep connection: "My soul is here." Amriyakhan shares a personal story of retrieving a 300-year-old copper crescent from a mosque dome during intense shelling. He carried this artifact through his exile in Dubai, Istanbul, and Toronto, and has now returned it to the mosque, symbolizing his enduring link to his heritage.

Fielib's Vision for a New Generation

Fielib's story is marked by multiple displacements and profound loss. He initially fled his hometown of Aleppo during the war and moved to Idlib. Following the devastating 2023 earthquake in Turkey and Syria, which claimed his family, he sought refuge in Britain. His asylum process was interrupted by the fall of the regime, prompting his decision to return to Syria and participate in its rebuilding.

Fielib's trauma has reshaped his dreams, with a central focus on fulfilling his late brother Yaman's vision. Yaman, a prominent journalist and filmmaker, dedicated his life to exposing atrocities and crises in Syria, but his dream of creating cinema that reflected his people's suffering remained unfulfilled. Fielib is now committed to carrying this vision forward.

He is currently working on a story about school dropouts and child labor in the Yamuk camp, believing that rebuilding Syria begins with educating its children. He emphasizes that "Children should be at school and not in the workplace." Fielib acknowledges the difficulty for his generation to fully rebuild the country, seeing their role as taking initial steps, with the new generation ultimately responsible for its construction. He stresses that without education, this future rebuilding will be impossible.

Syria's Fragile Transition and Challenges for Returnees

Syria is navigating a delicate transition following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. A new interim government is working to re-establish state institutions, but the country faces significant challenges, including a severe economic crisis, a volatile security situation, and social discontent. For those returning from exile, this is a bold step fraught with numerous difficulties.

Fatimah expresses concern about her children adjusting from German schools, but power outages are a common reality, necessitating reliance on private generators in addition to state electricity.

Conclusion: Hope and Duty in a Changing Syria

The three individuals' stories, though distinct, are united by a shared sense of hope and resilience. Despite fears and uncertainties, they believe in the possibility of renewal for Syria. Fatimah is optimistic and committed to doing her best for herself, her future children, and her lost loved ones. Amriyakhan views engagement in rebuilding as a "duty" and a responsibility after the country's liberation, stating, "We started a revolution for this country. We didn't start it to leave it to build a life in exile especially after it was liberated." He wishes for Syria to achieve the revolution's goals and for his family to regroup and reconnect with their country, recognizing that in Germany, they would always remain "strangers." Their journeys underscore the profound desire for belonging and the commitment to actively participate in the reconstruction of their homeland.