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Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Syrians return to villages destroyed by war
Aref Shamtan, 73, chose to erect a tent near his decimated home in northwest Syria instead of remaining in a displacement camp following the overthrow of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. 'I feel good here, even among the rubble,' Shamtan said, sipping tea at the tent near his field. Upon returning with his son after al-Assad was toppled in December, Shamtan discovered his village of al-Hawash, situated amid farmland in central Hama province, severely damaged. His house had lost its roof and suffered cracked walls. Nevertheless, 'living in the rubble is better than living in the camps' near the Turkish border, where he had resided since fleeing the conflict in 2011, Shamtan explained. Since al-Assad's downfall after nearly 14 years of war, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration reports that 1.87 million Syrians who were refugees abroad or internally displaced have returned to their places of origin. The IOM identifies the 'lack of economic opportunities and essential services' as the greatest challenge facing returnees. Unable to afford rebuilding, Shamtan decided approximately two months ago to leave the camp with his family and young grandchildren, and has begun planting wheat on his land. Al-Hawash had been under al-Assad's control and bordered front lines with neighbouring Idlib province, which became a stronghold for opposition groups, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the opposition fighters that spearheaded the offensive that toppled the former president. 'We cannot stay in the camps,' Shamtan maintained, even though 'the village is all destroyed … and life is non-existent,' lacking fundamental services and infrastructure. 'We decided … to live here until things improve. We are waiting for organisations and the state to help us,' he added. 'Life is tough.' Local official Abdel Ghafour al-Khatib, 72, has also returned after escaping in 2019 with his wife and children to a camp near the border. 'I just wanted to get home. I was overjoyed … I returned and pitched a worn-out tent. Living in my village is the important thing,' he stated. 'Everyone wants to return,' he noted. However, many cannot afford transportation in a country where 90 percent of the population lives in poverty. 'There is nothing here – no schools, no health clinics, no water and no electricity,' al-Khatib said while sitting on the ground in his tent near what remains of his home. The conflict, which erupted in 2011 following al-Assad's brutal suppression of antigovernment protests, killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half of Syria's pre-war population either internally or abroad, with many seeking refuge in Idlib province. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than six million people remain internally displaced.
Asharq Al-Awsat
3 days ago
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Displaced Syrians Leave Camps to Pitch Tents near Destroyed Homes
Aref Shamtan, 73, preferred to pitch a tent near his destroyed home in northwest Syria rather than stay in a camp for the displaced following longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad's ouster. "I feel good here, even among the rubble," Shamtan said, sipping tea at the tent near his field. When he and his son returned after Assad's December 8 overthrow, Shamtan found his village of Al-Hawash, nestled among farmland in central Hama province, badly damaged. The roof of their house was gone and its walls were cracked. But "living in the rubble is better than living in the camps" near the border with Türkiye, where he had been since 2011 after fleeing the fighting, Shamtan said. Since the opposition factions ousted Assad after nearly 14 years of war, 1.87 million Syrians who were refugees abroad or internally displaced have returned to their areas of origin, the United Nations' International Organization for Migration says. The IOM says the "lack of economic opportunities and essential services pose the greatest challenge" for those returning home. Shamtan, who cannot afford to rebuild, decided around two months ago to leave the camp with his family and young grandchildren, and has started planting his farmland with wheat, said AFP. Al-Hawash had been controlled by Assad's forces and was along the front lines with neighboring Idlib province, which became a bastion for opposition factions, particularly Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the group that led the offensive that toppled Assad. 'Nothing here' "We can't stay in the camps," Shamtan insisted, even if "the village is all destroyed... and life is non-existent", lacking basic services and infrastructure. "We decided... to live here until things improve. We are waiting for organizations and the state to help us," he said. "Life is tough." Local official Abdel Ghafour al-Khatib, 72, has also returned after fleeing in 2019 with his wife and children for a camp near the border. "I just wanted to get home. I was overjoyed... I returned and pitched a worn-out tent. Living in my village is the important thing," he said. "Everyone wants to return," he said. But many cannot even afford the transport to do so in a country where 90 percent of people live in poverty. "There is nothing here -- no schools, no health clinics, no water and no electricity," Khatib said, sitting on the ground in the tent near the remains of his home. The war, which erupted in 2011 after Assad's brutal repression of anti-government protests, killed more than 500,000 people and displaced half of the pre-war population internally or abroad, with many fleeing to Idlib province. More than six million people remain internally displaced, according to the IOM. With the recent lifting of Western sanctions, Syria's new authorities hope for international support to launch reconstruction, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion. IOM chief Amy Pope said on Monday that "the lifting of sanctions sends a powerful message of hope to millions of displaced Syrians", cautioning, however, that "hope must be matched with concrete support". 'No home' After being repeatedly displaced, Souad Othman, 47, returned with her three daughters and son to Al-Hawash around a week ago. "Everything has changed -- the homes are damaged and there is nothing left in their place," said Othman, whose husband died during the war. The roof of her home has collapsed and its walls are cracked, but she still chose to return, eking out a living through manual labor. A small bed sits out in the open, protected only by blankets on a clothesline, with a makeshift cooking area set up on the rubble. She said she borrowed $80 to pay for a battery for two solar panels. "There are snakes and insects here. We can't live without light during the night," she said. AFP aerial footage of camps in northwest Syria showed some former structures empty of residents. Jalal al-Omar, 37, who is responsible for part of a camp near the village of Qah in Idlib province, said around 100 families had left for his home village of Treimsa in the Hama region. But around 700 other families cannot afford to return, he said, also noting the lack of infrastructure in Treimsa, where people have to travel miles just to buy bread. "People don't want to stay in the camps, they want to return to their villages. But the lack of essential services... prevents their return," he said. "I myself have no home. I'm waiting... for a place to shelter in the village," he added.
Times of Oman
21-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
EU agrees to lift economic sanctions on Syria
Brussels: The European Union has decided to lift its economic sanctions on Syria, the bloc's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Tuesday. "Today, we took the decision to lift our economic sanctions on Syria," Kallas said in a post on social media platform X. "We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria." The bloc had already discussed lifting sanctions back in February, expressing a desire to support the rapid economic recovery in Syria after over a decade of civil war wrought widespread destruction. However, not all EU sanctions will be lifted. Individuals and organisations with connections to the regime of Bashar Assad, as well as those responsible for brutal repression and human rights violations, will remain under sanction. The EU will also maintain its export restrictions on weapons and goods and technologies that are used for domestic repression. The decision to lift sanctions came after President Donald Trump said last week he would order the lifting of US sanctions against Syria. Despite Tuesday's announcement, there is still concern in Brussels that the new Syrian government may not be heading in the right direction. These fears have been highlighted by recent clashes between different groups. The new government was set up by militants from the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group that shocked the world in December with a lightning advance that brought an end to decades of rule by the Assad family. The group's militant ideology has been a major cause for concern in Europe, but the years of conflict as well as a growing instability in the wider region have left little room for manouver. "I think we don't have a choice," Kallas said of the decision to lift sanctions.
The Independent
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump heaps praise on Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa as he lifts sanctions
Donald Trump met with syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda fighter, marking the first meeting between US and syrian leaders in 25 years. Trump praised al-Sharaa, lifted US sanctions on Syria, and encouraged normalized relations with Israel. Al-Sharaa became Syria's interim president after his group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted the Assad regime. Al-Sharaa's past includes fighting US forces in Iraq and leading the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria. Despite his past, al-Sharaa has pledged an inclusive government and distanced himself from al-Qaeda.
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Donald Trump praises ‘young, attractive' ex-terrorist Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa
Donald Trump shook hands with Syria's Islamist ruler on Wednesday – the first encounter between the two nations' leaders in 25 years and a potential turning point for Damascus as it struggles to emerge from decades of international isolation. The US president warmly greeted former al-Qaeda fighter Ahmed al-Sharaa in a historic meeting unthinkable only a few months ago. Under the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, Mr al-Sharaa rose through the ranks of al-Qaeda and fought US forces in Iraq before entering the Syrian war. He was even imprisoned by US troops for several years. He became Syria's interim president in January after insurgent groups led by his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) stormed Damascus and deposed the Assad family after 54 years in power. 'He's got a real shot at holding it together,' said Mr Trump, who lifted all US sanctions on Syria and encouraged Mr al-Sharaa to join Morocco and the UAE in normalising ties with Israel. After the meeting, which took place in Saudi Arabia in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Mr Trump praised Mr al-Sharaa to reporters as a 'young, attractive guy,' adding: 'Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter. He's a real leader. He led a charge and he's pretty amazing.' Mr Trump then flew to Qatar, where he oversaw the signing of deals including an order for 160 Boeing aircraft that he said was worth more than $200 billion. The president's four-day visit highlights the United States' growing ties to the oil-rich region, where his real-estate company is also developing several projects. Mr Trump dismissed ethical concerns about his plan to accept a $400 million luxury plane from Qatar to serve as Air Force One, saying it would be 'stupid' to turn down the generous offer – a stance has drawn criticism even from Republicans. Meanwhile, Trump said Qatar's ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani reminded him of the Saudi crown prince. He called them both 'tall, handsome guys that happen to be very smart.' During his trip, he marvelled at the 'perfecto' marble in Qatar and spoke of the 'gleaming marvels' in Saudi Arabia. The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December sparked celebrations across Syria, where the economy has been ravaged by 14 years of civil war and international isolation. But Mr Al-Sharaa still faces daunting challenges to building the kind of peaceful, tolerant Syria he has promised. His ties to al-Qaeda stretch back to 2003, when he joined the insurgency after the US-led invasion of Iraq. He helped al-Qaeda form an offshoot in Iraq that attacked both US forces and the country's Shiite majority, often using car and truck bombs. He was detained by the US and held for over five years without being charged. The group's Iraqi leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, sent al-Sharaa to his native Syria in 2011 after a popular uprising led to a brutal crackdown and eventually a full-blown civil war. There, al-Sharaa established an al-Qaida branch known as the Nusra Front. The two insurgent leaders had a brutal falling out when al-Sharaa refused to join al-Baghdadi's Islamic State group and remained loyal to al-Qaida's central leadership. The Nusra Front later battled the Islamic State group. In his first interview in 2014, he kept his face covered and said Syria should be governed by Islamic law, an alarming prospect for the country's Christian, Alawite and Druze minorities. Al-Sharaa also said he couldn't trust Gulf and other Arab leaders who he said had sold themselves to Washington to stay in power. But in the following years, he began rebranding himself and the armed group he led. In 2016, he announced that he had severed ties with al-Qaida. He began appearing in public unmasked and in military garb and changed his group's name to HTS. In power, he has vowed to rid the country of Iranian influence and Iran-backed armed groups such as the Lebanese militia Hezbollah. He promised an inclusive, representative government that would allow the country's many ethnic and religious groups to live in peace. A constitutional declaration broadened his powers and said Islamic law would remain at the heart of legislation for a five-year interim period. Mr Al-Sharaa argued that the measures were needed to stabilize the country, while many critics viewed it as a power grab.
