In brief
Despite recent political changes signaling the end of the war, the reality of returning to a homeland in ruins paints a stark picture for many families.
Lubna Labaad navigates the remains of her neighborhood in Qaboun, Damascus, now transformed into a desolate expanse of destruction. The only structure still standing is a mosque, its walls bearing a poignant message left by former rebels: “Forgive us, oh martyrs.” For Labaad and her family, this scene symbolizes both loss and hope as they attempt to return home after the abrupt end of the Syrian civil war, triggered by the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December. "We were waiting for that very moment to return," says Labaad, recalling the long years of turmoil. Although her house remains intact, it has been stripped bare by a soldier who took up residence there during the conflict. The Labaads consider themselves fortunate; many of their neighbors return only to confront piles of rubble where their homes once stood. The United Nations estimates that over 13 million Syrians were forced to flee because of the war, making it one of the most significant displacement crises globally. Approximately six million fled the country, while around seven million remain displaced internally, including families like Labaad’s, yearning for stability in a land ravaged by violence. The challenges facing returning families are vast, as they grapple with the loss of homes and the struggle to reclaim a sense of normality in a country in ruins.
