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For Hassan Ali al-Mikdad, his damaged home in Syria holds more meaning than life in an asylum country, it carries memories of revolution and triumph (Photo: SANA)

A homecoming of hope: Syrian families return to Busra al-Sham, Daraa, after years in exile

13 June 2025.  After 12 years in Jordan’s Zaatari camp, Syrian refugees have returned to their hometown of Busra al-Sham in Daraa. The extent of the devastation they encountered was far greater than what they expected to find, yet some have managed to rebuild parts of their homes.  One man said the joy of being in his home outweighs the hardships, as it stirs memories of the revolution and the victory.  Since the fall of Assad, over a half million Syrians are estimated to have returned as of mid-May.Read more at: SANA

Syrian Minister for Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat, speaks during an interview with the Associated Press, in Damascus, Syria, May 12. (AP Photo/Ghaith Alsayed)

Hind Kabawat, minister of social affairs and labor, hopeful now

30 May 2025. The easing of sanctions will help tackle corruption and bring home millions of refugees, the minister said. “We would talk, make plans, but nothing could happen on the ground because sanctions were holding everything up and restricting our work.” Read more at: AP News

Trucks loaded with belongings of residents from the Areesha refugee camp who are returning home. (Photo © UNHCR/Hameed Maarouf on UN News website 27 May 2025)

Belongings of internally displaced Syrians returning home

27 May 2025. Sanctions relief for Syria offers ‘powerful message of hope,’ says UN migration agency. The easing of sanctions sends “a powerful message of hope,” says UN agency. Since Assad’s overthrow, 500,000 refugees and 1.5 million internally displaced Syrians have returned home. In a reel, a woman reflects: “We were displaced for 13 years… now we feel like we’ve come out of a grave.” Read more at: UN News