In brief
After a sudden military offensive, Aleppo witnesses monumental cultural and emotional changes as exiled Syrians return to reclaim their city.
The once-revered symbols of the Assad regime are toppling across Aleppo, with significant statues smashed or charred. Residents celebrate the symbol of a rearing horse statue, which depicted Bashar al-Assad's late brother, as young men eagerly climb onto its remnants, signaling their newfound freedom. After nearly a decade of displacement, those who once fled Aleppo are now making their way back, some crossing the border from Turkey while others journey from safer locales to take stock of their former homes. They return with a mix of nostalgia and trepidation, aware that their neighborhoods may have irreparably changed. Among the returnees is 23-year-old Amar Sabir, who fled with her family nearly ten years ago and resettled in Turkey. With her husband and two children, she returned to Aleppo on Sunday, driven by a deep-seated desire to reconnect with her roots, despite the uncertainties that await. The landscape of Aleppo has transformed dramatically, with the war leaving scarred buildings and emotional voids as residents sift through memories. While joy mingles with apprehension, the resounding message is clear: Aleppo is ready to embrace a new chapter, free from the shadow of the regime that once held it captive.
