**Old Wounds and New Energy in Syria’s ‘Capital of the Revolution’**
In the heart of Homs, which has often been referred to as the “capital of the revolution,” a mixture of joy and despair hangs heavily in the air. As the country moves away from the tumultuous rule of President Bashar al-Assad, the population is caught between the celebratory atmosphere and the haunting echoes of a decade-long conflict that has severely scarred their lives. Baraa, now a university student at 20 years old, reflects on the harrowing memories she carries from her childhood. “Even now, I look back and wonder how we survived this nightmare,” she says, seated in her modest home surrounded by her family.
Baraa’s reflections prompt her sisters, Ala and Jana, alongside their father, Farhan Abdul Ghani, to share their past, laden with sorrow and resilience. Farhan poignantly expresses, “We did not want war. We did not want a forever president who builds monuments to himself.” The family’s home, now a symbol of survival, was once a refuge amidst chaos. Baraa’s childhood memories from nearly a decade ago remain vivid; she recalls watching people resort to desperate measures for sustenance, including the horrors of eating pets to survive a brutal siege.
As the interview unfolds, Baraa’s transformation is pronounced. The once timid girl, traumatized by her experiences, has matured into a confident young woman who aspires to achieve her academic goals. “I am dreaming of so many things now,” she declares, indicating a newfound hope for her future—something that was stripped from her during the height of uncertainty that engulfed her family. The juxtaposition between her traumatic past and hopeful dreams encapsulates the spirit of many in Homs.
Homs was a crucial battleground during the Syrian uprising, initially witnessing peaceful protests demanding change. As the conflict escalated, the city became a vivid representation of the struggle for democracy and freedom in Syria. Many families, including Baraa’s, suffered greatly. They were among those rescued during a humanitarian pause in February 2014, enduring inhumane conditions under relentless siege tactics employed by the government.
The years that followed were marked by instability, making daily life a challenge for the residents of Homs. Baraa describes a period when hope seemed elusive, shrouded in fear. However, like many others, her spirit has been reignited in recent days by the palpable sense of change sweeping through their communities. The lifting of harsh constraints has made basic goods more accessible, prompting Farhan to reflect on how he could now afford necessities like meat that had become luxuries during the conflict.
Yet, amidst this new hope, old wounds still gash open the hearts of many. Dr. Hayan al-Abrash, a physician who experienced the traumatic loss of a brother to the torturous grip of Saydnaya prison, revisits the war-torn remnants of his past. He finds himself both buoyed by the optimism of these early days post-conflict and burdened by the painful memories of destruction that haunt his mind. As he navigates through the shattered landscape of Khalidiyah, he grapples with the mixed feelings of returning to a city steeped in grief while witnessing glimmers of resilience from its residents.
One poignant tale is shared as Dr. Hayan guides the family to the remnants of his underground hospital. Once a lifeline for the wounded, it now lies in ruin—a stark reminder of the struggle for survival during the siege. He relays heart-wrenching stories of the patients he carried down those very stairs, adding layers of human experience to the scars left by conflict.
Father Tony Homsy, a Jesuit priest in Homs, recounts moments of shared compassion across religious boundaries, symbolizing how diverse communities within Homs are beginning to unite once more. The memory of Father Frans der Lugt, whose life was taken for his refusal to abandon the people of the Old City during the war, stands testament to the enduring spirit of love and community that continues to inspire healing among the populace.
As the residents of Homs seek to heal from a decade of conflict, the shared goal of rebuilding emerges. Voices from the community express intentions to reconstruct their fractured lives, intertwining their hopes while acknowledging the shadows of the past that linger. In this ongoing journey, the people of Homs exemplify a cherished resilience, embracing the bittersweet nature of their return to a city now filled with the echoes of laughter amid the struggles of rebuilding, fostering a renewed sense of belonging against the ruins of war.
