The city of Homs, my hometown, has finally been liberated from the Syrian government’s brutal grip after a decade of siege and violence. The news sent shockwaves through my community, and I was on edge as the rebels advanced into the city. As a writer who has lived under a pseudonym to protect the identities of the people of Homs, I have witnessed firsthand the suffering of this city.
The past decade has been marked by frequent blockades of food, fuel, and medicine, leaving residents struggling to survive. The situation in neighboring cities like Hama had made it hard to believe that Homs would be next, but we knew that the rebels would eventually arrive.
When the insurgents took control of Hams, I was worried about what this meant for Homs. Residents had begun storing up food before the rebels arrived, and by 5pm on December 7, the city was almost empty. The streets were closed, and there was a sense of fear that the fighting would continue for days or weeks.
But then, around midnight, activists confirmed that Homs had been freed. The news sent ripples through my community, and we began to celebrate in the darkness. Chanting “Allah Akbar,” people emerged from their homes, hugging fighters and thanking them for their bravery.
The liberation of Homs is a momentous occasion, but it also raises many questions about what comes next. Will the city be rebuilt, or will it remain a ghost town? How will the displaced residents return, and how will they rebuild their lives? As I look to the future, I hope that this moment of liberation will bring peace and prosperity to the people of Homs.
For those who have lost loved ones during the conflict, there is still no closure. Many families have suffered unimaginable losses, and their stories deserve to be told. The city’s joy is tempered by fear about what the future may hold, but for now, we can celebrate this hard-won victory.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/dec/18/liberation-syria-syrians-homs-city