After nearly seven years of displacement, hundreds of Syrian families have begun returning to their homes in northeastern Hasakah province. Among them is Fatima Obeid, who spent the past several years living in a tent with her family. On Tuesday, she packed their belongings and prepared to move back to Ras al-Ain and surrounding areas, despite widespread destruction in the region.

Obeid acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that she and her family were aware their homes had been heavily damaged and that little remained intact. “We will take our tents with us and put them up where our homes were. We will live in them temporarily until we can work and rebuild what was destroyed,” she said.

This movement is part of the second organized convoy facilitating the return of displaced residents from camps in Hasakah province, including the al-Tala’ie and al-Twaina camps. In total, 689 families have left these camps to resettle in their former communities after years of forced displacement.

The atmosphere at the camps on Tuesday was a mix of activity and emotion as residents loaded trucks with possessions accumulated over their years in displacement. Items such as mattresses, carpets, water containers, furniture, and clothing were packed carefully for the journey. Children moved between tents and vehicles, some expressing joy while others appeared more somber, as families prepared to leave behind what had been their temporary homes for an extended period.

The return of these families marks a significant step in the ongoing complexities faced by residents of northeastern Syria. Many homes in Ras al-Ain and nearby areas remain in ruins, underscoring the long road to recovery and reconstruction ahead for those displaced by years of conflict and instability.