In brief
As Syria's civil war winds down, many displaced citizens wish to return home. However, the ruins of war greet them instead of familiar neighborhoods, leaving them grappling with the harsh reality of destruction.
Lubna Labaad, a young Syrian woman, walked through the remnants of her once-vibrant neighborhood in Qaboun, a part of Damascus shattered by years of conflict. The only structure still standing is a mosque, bearing testament to the loss experienced during the civil war. In December, after the unexpected ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, many former residents like Ms. Labaad felt a glimmer of hope for return. While some families, like the Labaads, still find remnants of their homes, many others are met with only rubble and remains. “We were waiting for that very moment to return,” says Lubna, expressing a mix of hope and sorrow. Unfortunately, the situation for many displaced Syrians is grim. Over 13 million people were displaced throughout the conflict, according to UN reports, marking it as one of the world’s significant displacement crises. With more than six million fleeing the country and around seven million forced to move within Syria, the hope of returning to a home now rests on the resilient spirit of its citizens.
