After the end of a 14-year civil war in Syria with the fall of Bashar al-Assad, more than 1.3 million Syrians have returned home, primarily from neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, as well as from distant places such as Canada. The opportunity to revisit familiar streets and places of memories has been a poignant experience for many returning Syrians.
Among those who made the journey back are Muzna Dureid, 36, and Mustafa Alio, 42, who crossed into Syria from Jordan with their one-year-old son. Alio, a former student in Canada, had not been back to Syria since 2010 due to political tensions. His return to his hometown of Latakia revealed a mix of nostalgia and sadness as he observed little change amidst the neglect and war-torn environment.
For Dureid, who was part of the opposition movement in Syria and lost a family member to the conflict, the emotional journey back to her childhood neighborhood in Damascus was a heartbreaking realization of the devastation caused by the war. Despite the challenges, both Dureid and Alio have decided to leave their life in Montreal and resettle in Syria, aiming to contribute to the country’s rebuilding process.
In another story, Gamal Mansour, 53, returned to Syria after more than a decade, drawn by the fall of the Assad regime. His experience showcased a mix of relief at the absence of the oppressive regime and despair at the widespread destruction that now burdens the country’s recovery process. Mansour’s hope for a better future in Syria is tempered by the stark realities of rebuilding a nation marred by decades of authoritarian rule.
Amrou Nayal, 39, who had left Syria due to political persecution, also returned to witness the aftermath of the war. His road trip through various cities highlighted the stark contrast between the prosperous past and the current state of destruction and loss. Despite the challenges faced upon returning to his childhood home, Nayal remains hopeful of one day contributing to Syria’s reconstruction efforts.
The experiences of these Syrian Canadians reflect the complex emotions and decisions involved in returning to a homeland ravaged by conflict, balancing the desire to contribute to rebuilding with the realities of a country still grappling with the aftermath of war.