Families are free to relax outside in the evenings safe in the knowledge that they are too far from the fighting in the east of Damascus to be in danger since the government has pushed the rebels back.
Many Syrians are focused on rebuilding their broken country and would never leave for this reason. However, others are seeking opportunities abroad due to the harsh reality of sanctions and war, which have left few opportunities within Syria. From my conversations, it’s clear that Syrians are deeply proud and loyal to their families and their country, but there comes a point when they are forced to choose between the two—stay and rebuild or leave for a chance at a better life. I spoke with many who are in the process of applying for refugee status, some who have already received it, and others who are studying in Europe but have just returned home for the holidays.
It’s easy to find statistics online about the countries many Syrians are fleeing to. Germany and Sweden, for example, have the highest levels of migration due to their more relaxed immigration policies. Wealthier Syrian families are sending their children abroad to study, hoping to shield them from the dangers at home. Some of these families consider applying for refugee status once they are abroad, though almost all of them say they don’t want to. Leaving Syria means giving up their culture, family, heritage, and life as they know it—a decision no one makes lightly.
Mitabut Dahir, a retired geologist and former CEO of a government-run nuclear power station, sat on his sofa at home recounting his kidnapping in a hushed tone, as if each breath was a struggle to push out. His eyes, foggy and faded, spoke volumes about the hardships he had endured throughout his life. Targeted because of his position, he was abducted by armed, masked men just outside his wife’s workplace, a primary school. His car, a government vehicle, made him an easy target, and he suspects the men had been planning the attack for some time. “Assad gave you this car, and we want to take it!” they told him. Alarmed, Mitabut threw the keys, hoping to prevent them from using the car easily.
He was taken and accused of being part of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. “No!” he protested, “I’m not part of the regime. I work for the government.” He continued to explain, “Regimes come and go, but the Syrian facilities (like the power plant) will remain. If you destroy them, we have no country left.” For six days, he was held captive by what he describes as “mercenaries,” given no food, little water, and bound by ropes with a blindfold for most of the time. His hands were finally untied when he started experiencing severe discomfort due to pre-existing back issues. He described the cave where he was kept, filled with smoke, and locked in a room with a guard stationed outside. “They didn’t physically harm me,” he said, “it was mostly psychological.”
After his family paid 700,000 Syrian pounds (all the money they had saved for years), he was released, but the toll on his body was severe. The stress of his captivity led to an ulcer, which required the removal of his stomach. Now, he struggles to move and cannot walk very far.
Many of the people I spoke to in the areas I documented share stories of the early days of the conflict. Many participated in the demonstrations, hopeful for change, striving for a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous country. Yet, their worst fears have come to life: war. But as Maya told me, “Like the Phoenix,” Syria may be burning with no end in sight, but its people still hold on to ideals of helping one another through this crisis, of being a family, forgiving past wrongs, and working together to repair their broken land. Syria will rise again.
But for one driver I spoke to, it didn’t matter that he was home—what mattered was that he had survived.
Next to the Jesuit Community centre in the old city of Homs is the remains of a school playground. The children of the community come to play football once a week here. The school has yet to reopen and the local government havent given dates on when they will due to the extent of the damage in other areas of Homs.
A small boy plays with a playing card he found in the wreckage of homes that were distroyed in the fighting.
A young girl walks along the street in central Damascus, Syria where the amount of stores that sell prosthetic limbs has increased since the start of the war.
Twins play chess at Salamiyah sports centre. Chess is a popular game in Syria and Salamiyah has had some famous international players.
Waleed Sulus is the president of the Muhraduh sports club which was on the frontline during 2014 when Al-Nusra were 200 meters away from the town.Home to the first Olympic athlete Ghada Shouaa, who won a gold medal in the 1996 summer olympics.
Maya El-Sheikh listens to the game strategy for training. Women’s basketball is one of the many rights women have that would be taken away if the extremists ever enter their town in Muhradah. Home to the first Olympic athlete Ghada Shouaa, who won a gold medal in the 1996 summer olympics.
Photographed from the minaret of Umayyad Mosque, the firghting in East Damascus can be seen. Everday explosions can be heard from the east where a small area is still held by rebel groups.
Imad, the caretaker of the basketball courts, holds one of the rockets that flew into the town of Muhadah when the frontline was only a few hundred meters away from where he sits.
Abed Al Kareen Al Shibani, the Mayor of Salamiyah, as he pulls out his beretta (pistol) from his bag and an AK-47 next to his leg in the passenger footwell, “You never know in these times when you might need protection” he says
The Mayor of Salamiyah, Abed Al Kareem Al Shibani is looking to bring his town back to its former glory. Salamiyah is known in Syria for producing; performers, artists, writers.
Ahmad Al Sarout, who is a businesssman from Salamiyah, inspects his chicken feed and poultry farm. He invests a lot of money into the town to develop the infustructure that has been damaged during the crises.
Abed Al Kareen Al Shibani, the Mayor of Salamiyah, as he pulls out his beretta (pistol) from his bag and an AK-47 next to his leg in the passenger footwell, “You never know in these times when you might need protection” he says
Working to fix a machine that has stalled due to excess material getting into its working parts.
Shops are starting to reopen after intense fighting in the old city of Homs.
People relax at a local restaurant in the old city of Homs. Since the city was taken back by the Syrian government life is slowly returning to normal.
Omar with his family at his sons birthday in his brother Yannis' burger restuarant. Omar lives full time in Dubai and has brought his family back to Syria to see their home town.
Many young men give up their lives in a fight, they believe is for the freedoms of religion, expression and way of life that the rebel groups don't offer.
Abed Al Holfiz Barghouth returns to his home in Homs for the first time to look at the damage that has been caused during the fighting.
A family recently moved into one of the apartments in this block. Due to the obvious damage it is very affordable.
Sian crawls alone the living room floor of the apartment the her family has just reoccupied. A family recently moved into one of the apartments in this block. Due to the obvious damage it is very affordable.
A hole in the wall of a rooftop in Homs old city shows the intended target. Due to the intense fighting holes were made to fire out of to prevent return fire.
Maya is the manager and designer of the first restaurant thats opened in the centre of Homs. "The Skakespeare" is struggling with high bills that are imposed by the local government for water, electricity and gas.
The first restaurant to open in the otherwise deserted city centre of Homs. "The Skakespeare" is struggling with high bills that are imposed by the local government for water, electricity and gas.
Um Al-Zennar Church is an Orthodox church in the centre of the old city in Homs which was badly damaged in the fighting.
Fadi has a shop in the old city of Homs that was almost completely destroyed during the fighting. He sells christian religious objects. For example prayer beads or a statue of the virgin Mary.
Reconstruction has been slow but the people on the area are starting to return. Shops are starting to reopen after intense fighting in the old city of Homs.
Issam Jabour inspecting his home from the damage sustained in the old city of Homs. They were one of the first families to move back to the neighbourhood. However after hearing that they had returned, a few other families are coming back.
Children and men spend a warm evening talking playing and drinking tea. Most of the surrounding buildings in the area are unliveable however families are returning.
Samir is a Christian living with his family on the outskirts of Homs and has stayed in the area throughout the war. He said part of his wife's and his idea of having children was to bring happiness into what seemed to be a cold dark world during the fighting.
Most residential areas around Homs look like this in the centre. Families are slowly moving back into the area.
Food in Damascus is not in short supply. The markets are full of vegetables and meat. People go about their routines with the treat of being shelled at anymoment.
Food in Damascus is not in short supply. The markets are full of vegetables and meat. People go about their routines with the treat of being shelled at anymoment.
Food in Damascus is not in short supply. The markets are full of vegetables and meat. People go about their routines with the treat of being shelled at anymoment.
A taxi drives through the busy market with young childrren peering out the windows. Food in Damascus is not in short supply. The markets are full of vegetables and meat. People go about their routines with the treat of being shelled at anymoment.
A soldier stands guard in one of the bathhouses in the old city of Damascus. Men relax in the bathhouse on the old city of Damascus. The Bathhouse is a possible target for bombs so they have a soldier positioned inside at all times.
Men relax in the bathhouse on the old city of Damascus. The Bathhouse is a possible target for bombs so they have a soldier positioned inside at all times.
Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is a place for the people to go in the day to escape the heat and relax or pray. Families gather to eat picnics and children play inside the Mosque.
Umayyad Mosque in Damascus is a place for the people to go in the day to escape the heat and relax or pray. Families gather to eat picnics and children play inside the Mosque.
Tourism has been hit hard by the war. Many hotels are only renting out a small number of rooms at heavily discounted prices so as to stay open.
People go about their daily business even during intense fighting in the east of the city, during the day people try to have normality in their lives.