‘We tasted the horrors of war’: Stories of refugees who returned home
"Returning was beautiful in the sense of going back to one’s country, but it was very exhausting physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally, because everything has changed," 37-year-old Hiam t
"Returning was beautiful in the sense of going back to one’s country, but it was very exhausting physically, emotionally, financially, and mentally, b
Read Full Story at Al Jazeera →Why This Matters
Hiam’s account captures a rarely discussed paradox of forced displacement: the psychological toll of returning to a homeland that may no longer feel like home. It exposes the quiet devastation of post-conflict reconstruction—not just in terms of infrastructure, but in the erosion of personal and communal identity. For policymakers and aid organizations, her story underscores a critical blind spot: the assumption that repatriation equals resolution.
Background Context
Since 2011, Syria’s civil war has displaced over 13 million people, with many now facing pressure to return amid a fragile ceasefire and international funding cuts for refugee support. The Assad regime’s narrative of “normalization” often clashes with the reality on the ground, where returnees encounter destroyed homes, landmines, and a security apparatus that views them as potential dissidents. Economic collapse has further complicated resettlement, with Syria’s currency losing over 98% of its value since 2011.
What Happens Next
The international community’s waning commitment to refugee repatriation could force millions into irreversible decisions—whether to stay in overcrowded camps or risk return under duress. Syria’s government has already begun revoking citizenship from exiles, signaling a punitive approach to those perceived as disloyal. Meanwhile, the UN’s ambiguous stance on safe returns risks normalizing deportations under the guise of voluntary repatriation.
Bigger Picture
Hiam’s experience reflects a global pattern where conflict-induced displacement is treated as a temporary crisis rather than a long-term identity crisis. From Ukraine to Afghanistan, returnees often confront the same paradox: the land they fled to may no longer welcome them, while the land they return to may no longer recognize them. This reflects a broader failure of post-conflict reconciliation, where peace deals prioritize ceasefires over the human cost of rebuilding.
