Fatshimetrie — Ahmad Morjan’s emotional reunion with his mother after more than 13 years apart illustrates the wave of hope and upheaval sweeping Syria since the country’s sudden liberation from the rule of the Assad dynasty.
The poignant moment shared on social media is one of many emotional reappearances across Syria as people try to regain some sense of normalcy after years of devastating conflict. The 13-year civil war has forced 6 million people to become refugees and internally displaced 7 million others, according to the United Nations.
Of those who fled the country, a million are expected to return in the first six months of 2025, the UN refugee agency said, appealing to donors to support the returnees’ humanitarian needs.
Morjan’s reunification with his mother represents renewed hope for many Syrians who have long dreamed of returning home. However, despite the prospect of returning to some semblance of normality, some are hesitant in the face of the country’s ongoing instability and uncertain future.
Ahmad Morjan’s journey, from an 18-year-old student filming anti-Assad protests to fleeing his hometown of Aleppo, illustrates the tragedy faced by many Syrians. His exile to Turkey in 2016, where he managed to build a new life, never took him far from his home country.
The recent fall of the Assad regime has rekindled Morjan’s hope of rebuilding his life in Syria, despite the dangers and challenges that lie ahead. He is preparing to return to Aleppo with his family, aware of the challenges that await them in a country where poverty is rife among 90% of the population.
Despite the risks, Morjan remains optimistic about Syria’s future, holding out hope for a new beginning for his country, shaped by the sacrifices and blood shed for the revolution.
Meanwhile, the story of Hussam Kassas, forced to walk to the safety of Jordan after years of suffering in Syria, highlights the trauma and challenges many Syrians face as they try to rebuild their lives.
Their story, full of hope and resilience, illustrates the complexity of returning home for many Syrian refugees, who face both nostalgia for the past and the uncertainties of the future in a country scarred by war.
Ultimately, these poignant stories illustrate the power of hope and resilience in a country seeking reconstruction and reconciliation, where every return home is a step toward a better future.