{"id":140019,"date":"2026-08-09T06:16:08","date_gmt":"2026-08-09T06:16:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=140019"},"modified":"2026-08-09T06:16:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-09T06:16:10","slug":"after-9-years-of-displacement-syrias-afrin-residents-return-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/140019\/","title":{"rendered":"After 9 years of displacement, Syria\u2019s Afrin residents return home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AFRIN, Syria (North Press) \u2013<\/strong> After years of moving between Maskanah, Shahba, Tabqa and Qamishli cities, a number of displaced residents of Afrin and its countryside have returned to their areas, carrying with them the joy of returning home and the pain of years of loss and displacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amid the emotions of reaching the land they had been away from for years and the challenges of rebuilding their homes and lives, Karim Ajeeb Ibrahim and Latifa Mustafa told North Press about their journey home, the painful memories it brought back and their hopes for the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afrin, a predominantly Kurdish region in northwestern Syria, has experienced successive waves of displacement since the outbreak of the Syrian conflict. In March 2018, Turkish forces and affiliated Syrian factions took control of the region after a military operation against the Kurdish-led People\u2019s Protection Units (YPG). The takeover prompted the displacement of large numbers of Afrin\u2019s residents, many of whom moved to other parts of northern Syria. Years later, some displaced residents have begun returning to their villages and homes, although damaged property, limited services and unresolved security and property issues continue to pose challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt is enough that we have returned to Afrin\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Karim Ajeeb Ibrahim, from Kokan village in the Afrin countryside, spoke about the years of displacement he spent away from his hometown, telling North Press that he was forced to leave the area eight years ago and moved to Qamishli city in northeastern Syria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI am from Afrin, from Kokan village. We were displaced eight years ago and went to Qamishli. We suffered a lot during those years and had lost hope of returning to our city. Thank God, we came back, and the pain has eased a little,\u201d Ibrahim said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking about his time in Qamishli, he said the years away from Afrin were not easy, despite feeling that the city had welcomed them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe cannot say that displacement is difficult, nor can we say that it is not difficult. Qamishli was like our city and a Kurdish city, but it can never become like our city. I hope everyone returns to their city and their land. It is a great thing to be on our own land,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding his return, Ibrahim said difficulties remain, but simply reaching Afrin represents a new source of hope for him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter eight years, we came to Afrin. There are difficulties and there are good things, but it is enough that we came to Afrin. This is something beautiful. When I left Afrin, I was 16 years old, and today we have returned. I want to work here and make our city beautiful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ibrahim called on Afrin residents to return and contribute to rebuilding their area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI hope all my friends return to their city so that we can help and support one another, support our city and make it beautiful, and so that we – Kurds – can be closer to one another, love each other more and protect one another,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were displaced four times \u2026 the most important thing is that I returned to my land\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Latifa Mustafa told North Press that about nine years of displacement during which she moved between several areas before returning to her village in Afrin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were displaced the first time, and it was difficult for us. We left and went to Maskanah [east of Aleppo], then returned to Afrin, to our village. But we did not stay there. We were displaced again from our village and our land,\u201d Mustafa said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She added that she spent seven years in Shahba region (north of Alepp) before moving to Tabqa and then Qamishli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe stayed a year or more in Tabqa, then went to Qamishli and stayed there for another year. After that, we came back to our land. Thank God, they brought us back to our home after nine years,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Describing her feelings upon returning, Mustafa said, \u201cI was very happy. I came to my home, my area, my village. I saw these mountains. Afrin is paradise. We were very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, her return was not without difficulties, as she found her home damaged and in need of extensive rehabilitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen we came to Afrin, there was a family in our house. They left, but nothing in the house was intact. We need at least a month. Everything in the house is damaged. We have been here for a week now. We have only painted the room. There is nothing, but we will work on it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will work hard on it, and God willing, we will overcome the hardship because we have suffered a lot. We were displaced from our home four times. Most important of all is that I returned to my Afrin, to my home, to my land,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain of loss remains alongside the joy of return<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Despite the joy of returning, the effects of loss remain for Mustafa, who spoke about the death of her son during the years of displacement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are a family of martyrs, and thank God we are proud of that. Every family has sacrificed their sons, whether Kurdish or Arab. The hearts of many people have been broken. I ask God to give patience to all mothers, Kurds and Arabs, to every mother whose heart has been broken,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI did return to my land, but my son, my martyr, remained behind. If my son were with me, I would be happier. There is still a pain in my heart. My son wanted to return home,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She explained that she left Afrin accompanied by four of her sons but returned with only three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI wish my son were with me. I wish I could also retrieve my son\u2019s body so that he could be close to me,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regarding the changes that occurred in the area during the years she was away, Mustafa said, \u201cWhen we came, we looked around and found that there had been a lot of nature, but now nothing is like it was before. I hope everything returns to the way it was.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Rolav Horo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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