{"id":139735,"date":"2026-08-02T08:49:03","date_gmt":"2026-08-02T08:49:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=139735"},"modified":"2026-08-02T08:49:05","modified_gmt":"2026-08-02T08:49:05","slug":"returnees-face-widespread-destruction-in-afrins-baslihaya","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/139735\/","title":{"rendered":"Returnees face widespread destruction in Afrin\u2019s Baslihaya"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> Dozens of displaced families have recently returned to Baslihaya village in the southeastern countryside of Afrin, northwest Syria, only to find extensive destruction, damaged infrastructure, and a severe lack of basic services after years of displacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite the scale of the devastation, residents say they are determined to remain in the village and rebuild their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jinan Khalil Kanjo, a woman in her fifties and a resident of Baslihaya, said returning to the village where she had spent decades of her life brought mixed emotions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were shocked by the scale of the destruction when we came back,\u201d Kanjo told North Press. \u201cWe never expected it to be like this.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added, \u201cDespite everything, our joy is immense because we have returned to our land, our village, our people, and the land of our ancestors.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Muhammad Shababo, another resident of the village, said most homes have been stripped of their doors and windows, stressing that restoring electricity and water has become the community\u2019s most urgent priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe hope the government and humanitarian organizations will help restore the village to what it once was, at least,\u201d he told North Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lack of essential services has prompted residents to appeal to the relevant authorities and humanitarian organizations to rehabilitate basic infrastructure so returning families can resume their lives in dignified conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another resident, Kanjo Shababo, urged villagers to rebuild whatever they can themselves, adding that those who cannot afford reconstruction should wait for assistance from the government and humanitarian organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to village mukhtar Muhammad Miqdad, Baslihaya was home to around 4,000 residents living in more than 400 houses before displacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said about 40 families have returned so far, while more than 80 additional families are expected to return in the coming days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Miqdad said 40 houses have been completely destroyed and another 30 have sustained partial damage. Most of the remaining houses have no doors, windows, or basic living facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the village\u2019s water and electricity networks have been completely destroyed, while around 50 percent of the sewage network has been damaged. The village school has suffered partial destruction, and the main roads are in a severely deteriorated condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Atoun Jan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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