I visited Syria in March of 2025 to see life after the regime change. From south to north, the extent of the damage was overwhelming. Whole neighborhoods were still devastated, infrastructure was functioning minimally, and there were still millions struggling with life after. Although there were indications of recovery, the war’s deep wounds could not be overlooked.
In the capital city of Damascus, life proceeded, but in the shadow of destruction. The markets of the Old City reopened, but most of its homes remained abandoned or were severely damaged. Power cuts were commonplace, there was little clean water available, and the burden of history loomed over the residents. Discussion frequently became a matter of speculation—regarding the economy, security, and the future.
It was further north that Homs remained a city of rubble. There had returned some of the families but most occupied half-destroyed houses and temporary shelters. Streets that had bustled with life were ominously quiet, with businesses barely venturing to open up. The devastation was complete in some sections, and the effort to rebuild was virtually overwhelming.
Aleppo was the city that felt most alive. Of all of the cities I visited, I felt like it was the one recovering most quickly. The grand souk was filled with people, shops were open for business, and the streets had a sense of normalcy. Although some of the city remained in shambles, many of the historic sites were already being rebuilt, and people were determined to move on.
In the mountains of Maaloula, not only was the damage physical, but cultural as well. The Christian village that had once symbolized the religious diversity of Syria had fallen almost entirely during the war. Churches were still under restoration, one stone at a time, but few of the Aramaic-speaking families that used to inhabit the village had come back. Those that had were attempting to restart their traditions, but they were fighting a battle uphill.
Syria continues to be a country in turmoil. Although the war has ceased, there remains daily adversity for its people—lack of resources, limited infrastructure, and the psychological repercussions of conflict after years. The strength of those recovering their communities and their homes is not in doubt, but the path of recovery will be long, insecure, and fraught with difficulty.
