The streets of Tremseh, a small town north of Hama, Syria, were packed with residents celebrating a historic moment – the return of hundreds of exiled sons and daughters of the town(Syrians).
A convoy of colourful trucks carrying entire families drove through the streets, packed to the brim with belongings – mattresses, furniture, and even motorbikes and trees.
The returnees had spent more than a decade in exile, and their return marked a significant milestone in Syria’s journey towards rebuilding.
Mamdouh al-Sattouf, a 50-year-old former school principal, returned to Tremseh after more than a decade of exile. “When we were expelled, it felt as if our souls had been torn from our bodies.
Now that we have returned, it feels as if we have regained our souls,” he said. Al-Sattouf’s family was among the 180 families that returned to Tremseh, bringing the total number of returnees to over 2 million, including 1.5 million internally displaced and 600,000 refugees from abroad.
Azzam Freij, a 34-year-old Syrian, returned from Lebanon to Syria 10 days after the fall of the al-Assad regime. He settled in Homs, where his wife was from, but visited his hometown of Jubb Alis, a farming village an hour south of Aleppo.
Freij’s home had been plundered by the former regime’s troops and militias, but he was determined to rebuild his life. “It’s not dangerous. I played the same games when I was little!” he laughed, as his son Kheiro ran and climbed onto the domes of the mud house.
Freij’s experience was not unique. Many Syrians who returned home faced significant challenges, including lack of infrastructure, limited access to basic services, and economic instability. However, for Freij and many others, the sense of freedom and belonging that came with returning home was worth the challenges.
Mohamed Freij, Azzam’s brother, was still in Tripoli, Lebanon, where he had lived with his family during the war. He was eager to return to Syria but was waiting for the country to rebuild and stabilize its economy.
“The country is still in the early stages of development and rebuilding its infrastructure because al-Assad threw us back into the 15th century and we have to start all over again,” he said.
The Syrian population still faces significant challenges, including poverty, lack of infrastructure, and limited access to basic services. More than 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line, and jobs are difficult to find. However, for many Syrians, the desire to return home and rebuild their lives is strong.
For Azzam and Rasha Freij, life in Lebanon was miserable, and they felt like refugees without a future. But after the fall of the al-Assad regime, they returned to Syria and started rebuilding their lives.
“When they [opposition fighters] reached Damascus, I was over the moon! In less than a week, I had visited Syria, and I said to myself, ‘It’s over! Lebanon is behind me,'” Azzam said with a big smile.
The Freij family’s story is one of many stories of Syrians who have returned home and are rebuilding their lives. While the challenges ahead are significant, many Syrians are determined to rebuild their country and create a better future for themselves and their children.
As newsmen followed Azzam through Homs’s ancient souks, his newfound sense of pride was visible as he greeted old friends and examined their newly opened shops.
Syria’s journey towards recovery is ongoing, and the country still faces significant challenges. However, with the return of millions of Syrians, there is hope for a better future.
As Mohamed Freij said, “I want to settle in a city, not in the countryside, which has been neglected by the regime and where life is still very difficult. My friends who have moved to the city are happy.”
The story of Syrians returning home and rebuilding their lives is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Syrian people.
Despite the challenges ahead, many Syrians are optimistic about their future and are working towards rebuilding their country.