Syria Direct | سوريا على طو‪ل‬ Syria Direct

Amina lives with her family of 11 in an abandoned mill in the countryside of Tal Tamar, in the Syrian northeastern province of Hasakah. After being displaced from their home near Ras al-Ain in 2019, the family lived in the open for many months until they found this place. But they now risk being expelled by its owner.

This is the first episode of “The Hope to Return,” a podcast series by Syria Direct.

Four years ago, Khedr was displaced with his wife and daughter to Washokani camp, on the outskirts of Hasakah city. Adjusting to life in a tent has been difficult, but despite opportunities to seek refuge abroad, Khedr refuses to leave. He feels like he would be giving up on his right to return home one day.

This is the second episode of “The Hope to Return,” a podcast series by Syria Direct.

On October 9, 2019, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring, which started with the heavy bombardment of several northeastern Syrian towns. Amina and Khedr recall fleeing their homes during this terrifying night. Four years later, stability has returned to the area but Amina, Khedr and Zahra, another resident of Washokani camp, are all unable to return.

This is the third episode of “The Hope to Return,” a podcast series by Syria Direct.

Many houses have been destroyed, looted or confiscated by Turkish-backed armed groups in areas they seized during Operation Peace Spring. Similar acts have been carried out with impunity by a range of armed groups across Syria in recent years. Meanwhile, many displaced people have lost the documents proving that they own land or a house in their native towns and villages. What can Khedr, Amina and Zahra do to protect their property rights back home?

This is the fourth episode of “The Hope to Return,” a podcast series by Syria Direct.

Designed as a temporary refuge for those displaced by Operation Peace Spring, Washokani camp is turning into a small town as years pass and residents cannot return home. But families still live in aging tents, not allowed to build more comfortable houses inside the camp. What is the future of the camp and its residents, torn between the hope to return and the wish to build a slightly better life in displacement?

This is the fifth and final episode of “The Hope to Return,” a podcast series by Syria Direct.

تعيش أمينة وعائلتها منذ عامين في طاحونةٍ مهجورة بريف تل تمر، في محافظة الحسكة، شمال شرق سوريا. بعد تهجيرها من ديارها في رأس العين المجاورة، عام 2019، بقيت العائلة في العراء لعدة أشهر، إلى أن عثروا على هذا المكان. ولكنهم يخشون الآن أن يطردهم المالك.

هذه الحلقة الأولى من "أمل العودة"، بودكاست من إعداد "سوريا على طول".