Residents back homes in Syria’s Daraa after years of displacement
DARAA, Syria (North Press) – Residents returning to the village of Altuf in the far north of the Lajat town in Daraa governorate, southern Syria, described their homes as rubble, nearly after nine years of their displacement.
Local sources told North Press that some residents returned to their homes which they fled in late 2012 due to the war, and were not allowed to return during those years.
After several meetings between notables and the government security committee, the government forces allowed the displaced residents to return to their village, the sources added.
In 2012, the bombing of the Brigade 34 forces of the Ninth Division of the government forces destroyed some houses in the village, while some were converted into military headquarters.
Abu Muhammad, one of the villagers, said that despite everything, he would prefer to return to his home, “even if we would have to set up tents on the ruins of our destroyed homes.”
The population of the village of Altuf is estimated at 1,500 people, and the government forces did not allow them to return even after they settled their status in the summer of 2018.
The displaced people suffered from harsh conditions during their displacement in the plains of Daraa governorate, especially in winter, until they were allowed to return after the recent settlements.
But Abu Muhammad expressed his fear of mines and war remnants on the outskirts of the village, which have not been removed so far.
Also, basic services such as electricity and drinking water are non-existent despite government promises a month ago to restore them, according to returning residents.
The Brigade 34 of the Ninth Division is stationed on the outskirts of the village of Altuf, while the division is based in the city of al-Sanamayn in the northern countryside of Daraa.
In October, the security services completed settling the status of hundreds of wanted people in Daraa and its countryside. They then established a permanent settlement center in the city of Daraa for those who were unable to settle their status in their villages and towns.