• 20 Nov, 2025

Homs today stands as a living witness to the stories of return written by expatriates and displaced families. Many come back to their destroyed homes carrying hope and determination to rebuild what remains of their city. In fractured neighborhoods, life gradually reawakens: markets pulse with activity, streets regain their familiar noise, and shy smiles on the faces of returnees send a clear message—“the city is still here.”

These return stories vary: some rebuild their houses stone by stone, others reopen small shops, and many launch new projects to revive their neighborhoods. Families often choose to return to the old quarters despite their losses, believing that rebuilding walls also means rebuilding memory. Young people contribute by opening cafés, workshops, and small businesses, convinced that Homs’ revival begins with small initiatives.

The narratives reveal deep nostalgia for the past—the sounds of markets, the scents of old alleys. Despite hardships and uncertainty, returnees see holding onto the land as the closest choice to the heart. For them, return is not just physical but a spiritual act reconnecting them with their roots.

Expatriates affirm that years abroad strengthened their resolve and deepened their bond with Homs. Some now lead educational and cultural initiatives to connect new generations with the city’s history and heritage, ensuring Homs remains alive in memory despite changing circumstances.