After more than 13 years in exile, Ahmad Morjan’s dream of reuniting with his family became a reality. When he reached the door of his childhood home in Aleppo, he found his mother in prayer. Overwhelmed with emotion, Morjan knelt beside her, both thanking God for a reunion they feared might never come.
Their heartfelt embrace, captured and shared on social media, symbolizes the bittersweet homecomings seen across Syria following a dramatic shift in the country’s power dynamics. With the Assad regime’s downfall and rebel forces now in control, many Syrians who fled the war are contemplating a return to their homeland.
A Country in Ruins, Yet Filled With Hope
Syria’s 13-year civil war displaced over 13 million people, with 6 million fleeing abroad and 7 million internally displaced. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that 1 million Syrians could return within the first half of 2025, though challenges remain. The country’s infrastructure is devastated, and 90% of Syrians live below the poverty line.
Morjan, who fled Aleppo as an 18-year-old activist documenting protests against Bashar al-Assad’s regime, understands the risks but remains hopeful. His journey of exile began in 2012 when government forces targeted him for his activism. He eventually found refuge in Turkey, where he started a family.
The recent rebel takeover of Aleppo reignited his determination to return. “I cannot describe the feeling of coming home after 13 years,” Morjan shared. Despite the risks posed by former government operatives still present in the city, he plans to move back permanently with his wife and daughters.
“I believe the sacrifices of the revolution will sow the seeds for a better Syria,” Morjan said, reflecting on his optimism amid uncertainty.
Lingering Fears and an Unstable Future
For others, like Hussam Kassas, returning to Syria feels impossible. Kassas, a paramedic and human rights defender, fled Syria in 2016 after surviving a barrel bomb attack that left him with severe injuries. Smugglers helped him cross the Jordanian border, and he eventually resettled in Manchester, England.
Kassas’s work documenting war crimes by all parties during the conflict puts him at significant risk of retribution. “Just because Assad fled doesn’t mean his soldiers and intelligence officers have become peaceful,” he said.
Though the UK granted Kassas and his wife student visas, their asylum applications are now on hold. Several European countries, including the UK, have paused processing Syrian asylum requests to reassess the situation following the regime’s fall. The UNHCR has emphasized that returns should be voluntary and sustainable, ensuring refugees’ safety.
However, Kassas faces an uncertain future. His work permit and rental agreement in the UK are set to expire soon, leaving him concerned about his family’s stability. “I chose to risk my life as an activist to help build a better Syria,” Kassas said, “but I cannot allow my family to suffer for my decisions.”
A Divided Response
While some Syrians embrace the chance to rebuild their lives in their homeland, others remain apprehensive, fearing instability and potential revenge killings. The situation is further complicated by the rebel group Hayat-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now a key governing force in Syria, which has been labeled a terrorist organization by multiple countries and international agencies.
The dream of a free Syria remains fraught with challenges, from rebuilding its shattered infrastructure to addressing deep-seated fears among those who fled. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, stories like Morjan’s and Kassas’s underscore the resilience of Syrians yearning for peace, safety, and a future free from oppression.