

Assignment: Syria - return to ruins
May 13, 2025
Ammar Azuz, a British Syrian architect and Oxford University researcher, returns to Homs after 14 years, capturing a city transformed by devastation. He discusses the emotional reunions of returnees, the immense challenge of rebuilding, and the resilience of the community amidst ruins. Personal stories reflect both grief and laughter, illustrating the psychological toll of war and how some have managed to repair their homes. Azuz highlights the cultural identity that binds the people of Homs, as well as the sectarian divides reshaped by conflict.
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Returnees Face Ruined Homes
- One hundred families displaced from northern Syria returned to Homs after years away in camps.
- They arrived with belongings on trucks but found many returning homes destroyed or uninhabitable.
Architect Feels Life Divided
- Amar Azuz left Homs early in the uprising but feels torn between his life in the UK and his devastated hometown.
- He recalls the agony of witnessing his city's destruction from afar while being physically safe.
Rebuilding Home and Memories
- Yassir returned to his family home in Homs after living abroad and rebuilt it despite war damage.
- His mother fondly recalls traditional wedding celebrations, underscoring cultural continuity despite hardship.