Syrians assess destruction in third-largest city Homs
4 min readHoms, once Syria’s third-largest city, has borne the brunt of the country’s brutal civil war, leaving it scarred by years of bombings, artillery shelling, and relentless fighting. The city, often referred to as the “birthplace” of the Syrian revolution in 2011, has seen some of the most intense clashes between the regime of Bashar al-Assad and rebel forces. In the aftermath of these years of destruction, many of Homs’ residents are returning to assess the extent of the damage and to come to terms with the loss of their homes.
One such resident is Khaled Sahloul, who was forced to flee his home in 2012 when fighting broke out between rebels and regime militias in his neighborhood. “Our neighborhood was near the market,” Sahloul recalls. “At the beginning of the revolution, there was a curfew, and no one could leave their homes. We had to move from one area to another, constantly seeking refuge and trying to bring back food. When the protests escalated from the Khalid Bin Al-Walid Mosque towards the market, we found ourselves caught in the crossfire between the regime’s militias and the rebels. Our street was overwhelmed with militias.”
The scenes that greet returning residents like Sahloul are stark and haunting. Many homes are reduced to piles of rubble, with only the scarred remains of walls standing as a testament to what was once a thriving city. For many families, the little they were able to leave behind in their homes has long since been looted, adding to the devastation. Yet, despite the overwhelming destruction, the returnees are showing resilience and a strong desire to rebuild their homes and their lives.
The city of Homs has endured incredible hardships over the years. During the conflict, it was under siege for several years by the forces loyal to President Assad. The siege caused immense suffering, with civilians trapped in the city and struggling to access food, medicine, and basic necessities. Despite the siege and the brutal tactics employed by both sides, Homs held a symbolic significance for many Syrians, as it became a central point in the early stages of the Syrian revolution.
The turning point for the city came on December 8, 2024, when a swift rebel offensive resulted in the fall of the Assad regime’s control over the city. This victory, while a major milestone for the opposition forces, left behind a trail of destruction that residents now face in their attempts to return. The images of destroyed homes, shattered buildings, and abandoned neighborhoods paint a bleak picture of what was once a vibrant and bustling city.
For those who have managed to return, the sight of their former homes in ruins is a difficult reality to confront. However, there is a prevailing sense of hope among many of them, despite the devastation. Some residents, like Sahloul, express a strong determination to rebuild. “It’s heartbreaking to see what’s left of our city, but we have no choice but to rebuild,” he says. “This is our home. We will not abandon it.”
The process of rebuilding, however, will be an enormous challenge. Much of the city’s infrastructure has been destroyed, including schools, hospitals, and roads. Many neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, leaving large sections of the city uninhabitable. Additionally, the lack of resources, combined with the ongoing political instability in the country, makes it uncertain how long the reconstruction process will take. The rebuilding of Homs will require not only financial resources but also significant international support and a stable political environment.
Despite these challenges, there is a strong spirit of resilience among the people of Homs. Many are committed to returning to their roots, and rebuilding their lives in a city that has endured so much. For them, the path to recovery is not just about rebuilding homes and infrastructure, but about restoring a sense of normalcy and hope to a place that was once the heartbeat of Syrian culture and commerce.
As Homs begins the long process of recovery, the world watches closely. The situation in the city is a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by Syria as a whole, where decades of conflict have left deep scars on both the land and the people. The efforts of Homs’ residents to rebuild and recover will be a testament to their strength and determination, and a symbol of hope for a future where peace and stability can once again take root.
In the midst of devastation, Homs’ residents continue to dream of a city restored—a place where life, though forever altered, can once again thrive.
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