Suwayda celebrates Damascus’s agreement with the SDF (Photo)
Dozens of residents demonstrated in Syria’s southern Suwayda city on [...]
11
03, 2025
4
03, 2025
Darayya marks Ramadan as displaced residents return (Photos)
Ramadan feels different this year in Darayya, with the return of thousands of displaced people and a fall in some food prices.
31
07, 2024
East Aleppo: Years of ‘deliberate’ neglect and poor services
Nearly seven years after east Aleppo returned to regime control, the area’s neighborhoods still struggle with poor basic services—from electricity and water to sanitation—leaving residents feeling the neglect is “deliberate.”
7
11, 2023
Israel strikes and Iran mobilizes: Is further escalation likely in Syria?
Syria’s fronts with Israel remain relatively quiet, while intensified Israeli strikes and mobilization by Iran-linked forces in the country leave the door open to increased escalation.
19
10, 2023
Buildings in Damascus’ al-Hajar al-Aswad demolished, rubble sold
In al-Hajar al-Aswad, south of Damascus, buildings are steadily being demolished—regardless of whether they are structurally sound—with the rubble sold for profit under the eyes of regime forces. Some fear demolitions could be a precursor to expropriations under redevelopment plans.
15
08, 2023
The Hope to Return (Episode 5): The future of the camps
Many houses have been destroyed, looted or confiscated by Turkish-backed armed groups in areas they seized during Operation Peace Spring. Similar acts have been carried out with impunity by a range of armed groups across Syria in recent years. Meanwhile, many displaced people have lost the documents proving that they own land or a house in their native towns and villages. What can Khedr, Amina and Zahra do to protect their property rights back home? This is the fourth episode of “The Hope to Return,” a podcast series by Syria Direct.
7
08, 2023
The Hope to Return (Episode 4): Clinging to the land
Many houses have been destroyed, looted or confiscated by Turkish-backed armed groups in areas they seized during Operation Peace Spring. Similar acts have been carried out with impunity by a range of armed groups across Syria in recent years. Meanwhile, many displaced people have lost the documents proving that they own land or a house in their native towns and villages. What can Khedr, Amina and Zahra do to protect their property rights back home? This is the fourth episode of “The Hope to Return,” a podcast series by Syria Direct.
31
07, 2023
The Hope to Return (Episode 3): Peace Spring
On October 9, 2019, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring, which started with the heavy bombardment of several northeastern Syrian towns. Amina and Khedr recall fleeing their homes during this terrifying night. Four years later, stability has returned to the area but Amina, Khedr and Zahra, another resident of Washokani camp, are all unable to return.
24
07, 2023
The Hope to Return (Episode 2): Like home in the desert
Four years ago, Khedr was displaced with his wife and daughter to Washokani camp, on the outskirts of Hasakah city. Adjusting to life in a tent has been difficult, but despite opportunities to seek refuge abroad, Khedr refuses to leave. He feels like he would be giving up on his right to return home one day.
17
07, 2023
The Hope to Return (Episode 1): The mill
Amina al-Fares lives with her family of 11 in an abandoned mill in the countryside of Tal Tamar, in Syria’s northeastern Hasakah province. The family was displaced from their home near Ras al-Ain in 2019, and lived in the open for many months until they found this place. But they now risk being expelled by its owner.
