Podcasts

15 08, 2023

The Hope to Return (Episode 5): The future of the camps

By Lyse Mauvais|2023-08-15T14:44:23+02:00August 15, 2023|

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

By Lyse Mauvais,|2023-08-09T14:42:43+02:00August 7, 2023|

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

By Lyse Mauvais|2023-08-09T14:39:48+02:00July 31, 2023|

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

By Lyse Mauvais|2023-07-24T16:16:18+02:00July 24, 2023|

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

By Lyse Mauvais,|2023-08-09T14:40:46+02:00July 17, 2023|

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.

8 03, 2023

Distance (Episode 5): Under one roof

By Alicia Medina|2023-03-09T11:28:36+01:00March 8, 2023|

In 2015, Haitham al-Kurdi made the dangerous journey from Syria to Denmark alone, planning to bring his wife and children later. Over the following eight years, his hopes were repeatedly dashed as Danish asylum policies tightened.

6 02, 2023

Distance (Episode 4): Dad is on the phone

By Alicia Medina|2023-03-08T17:17:24+01:00February 6, 2023|

Khaled and his three-year-old daughter Jawahir have only ever met on the phone. She was not yet born when he fled Syria in 2018, aiming to apply for family reunification with his wife and their daughter. But they missed a bureaucratic deadline, and for three years the family has been in limbo.

30 01, 2023

Distance (Episode 3): ‘What kind of country did I choose?’

By Alicia Medina|2023-02-01T18:39:52+01:00January 30, 2023|

When Nisrine and her family made the decision to flee Lebanon for Denmark in 2015, there was a snag: Her 12-year-old daughter Nadine had to return to Syria to get a passport. The border closed, and Nisrine made the painful decision to leave her behind—temporarily, she thought. Seven years later, she is still fighting to reunite with her.

23 01, 2023

Distance (Episode 2): Alone in Germany

By Alicia Medina|2023-02-01T18:43:48+01:00January 23, 2023|

Alaa fled to Germany at 16, after her brother was disappeared by Syrian government forces. She hoped to bring her parents later, but her reunification request was denied. She has not seen her parents for seven years, and has never met her six-year-old brother.

16 01, 2023

Distance (Episode 1): Twice left behind

By Alicia Medina|2023-02-06T11:00:04+01:00January 16, 2023|

Mayada fled to Sweden in 2015 and applied for family reunification with her two sons, Rabieh and Adeeb. Rabieh was accepted, but Adeeb turned 18 during the process and was rejected. She has not seen him for eight years.

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