In March 2025, I traveled through Syria to document life after the regime change. From the south to the north, the scale of destruction was overwhelming. Entire neighborhoods remained in ruins, infrastructure was barely functioning, and millions were still struggling to rebuild their lives. While there were signs of recovery, the war’s deep scars were impossible to ignore.
In Damascus, the capital, life moved forward, but in the shadow of devastation. The Old City’s markets were open again, yet many buildings stood abandoned or damaged beyond repair. Power outages were frequent, clean water was scarce, and the weight of the past hung heavily over the people. Conversations often turned to uncertainty—about the economy, security, and what the future might hold.
Further north, Homs was still a city of rubble. Some families had returned, but many lived in half-collapsed buildings or makeshift shelters. Streets once filled with life were eerily quiet, with only a few businesses daring to reopen. The destruction here was total in some areas, and the struggle to rebuild seemed almost insurmountable.
Aleppo was the city that felt the most alive. Among all the places I visited, it seemed to be recovering the fastest. The big souk was busy again, shops were open, and the streets had a sense of normalcy. While parts of the city were still in ruins, many historic sites were being rebuilt, and people were focused on moving forward.
In the mountains of Maaloula, the destruction was not just physical but cultural. The Christian village, once a symbol of Syria’s religious diversity, had been nearly wiped out during the war. Churches were still being rebuilt stone by stone, but many of the Aramaic-speaking families who once lived here had not returned. Those who had were trying to revive their traditions, but it was an uphill battle.
Syria remains a country in crisis. Though the war has ended, the people continue to face daily adversity—scarcity of resources, lack of infrastructure, and the psychological toll of years of conflict. The resilience of those rebuilding their homes and communities is undeniable, but the road ahead is long, uncertain, and filled with challenges.
