Hajj Ghazi Al-Masri (Abu Samir) returned to his home in the town of Khirbat Ghazala in the eastern countryside of Daraa governorate, after a forced displacement journey that lasted for years, in a scene reflecting the return of the absent to Syrian neighborhoods that suffered from shelling and siege. The town had turned into a depopulated area during the years of control by the ousted regime forces, and today it is returning and beginning a phase of construction and reconstruction.
Memory of Displacement and Destruction
In March 2013, Khirbat Ghazala became completely devoid of its population due to shelling and military operations that forced residents to flee to neighboring villages or outside the country. Ahmad Nassar Al-Zoubi, the head of the town council, recalls that the town turned into a closed military zone for years, before a limited return began since 2018, and its pace accelerated after liberation. The town has provided more than 263 martyrs and was subjected to shelling by barrels, aircraft, mortars, and missiles.
Community Reconstruction Efforts
The population of Khirbat Ghazala today is estimated at around 28,000 residents, and the town faces major challenges in rehabilitating roads, sewage networks, water, and electricity. Al-Zoubi points out that the local community contributed to repairing schools, health facilities, the district center, and the civil registry office, saying: "Participation is collective from the local community, women, girls, youth, the elderly, and expatriates; everyone contributes, and we try to revive our town despite the scale of destruction and the weight of obligations."
Documenting Violations
The Syrian Network for Human Rights documented violations and shelling of the town using rocket launchers and artillery that resulted in dozens of casualties. Human Rights Watch relayed testimonies about looting, destruction, and arson, and residents described the experience as an attempt to subdue the town and break the will of its inhabitants. Returnees emphasize that the return is not merely an emotional decision, but rather a will to move forward and rebuild what the ousted regime destroyed.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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