Idlib: Since the fall of the 61-year Baath regime a year ago, Christians in northwestern Syria are returning to their ancestral villages, which they had been forced to abandon during the civil war. Approximately 20,000 people lived in the Christian villages of Ghassaniyah, Yacoubiyah, Judayda, and Quniyah, located west of Idlib, before the 13-year civil war. The Christian population in the area, however, shrank to as low as 500 during the harshest years of the civil war from 2013 to 2015.

According to Anadolu Agency - English, most residents were compelled to migrate due to intense artillery and airstrikes by forces of the since-ousted Assad regime and regional clashes. Semmaye Agop from Quniyah recounted being forced to abandon his village due to attacks by the Assad regime, which was ousted on December 8, 2024. Agop shared his experience of migrating to Tartus with his family amidst the escalating conflicts. He expressed relief upon returning after the revolution, despite the lack of basic amenities like water, electricity, and internet. "We returned to breathe our village's air," Agop said, hopeful for a future where conditions would improve.

Livan Muvas, another returnee, spoke about fleeing their village in 2013 due to bombardment, initially seeking refuge in Lebanon before moving to the United Arab Emirates. Muvas articulated the deep connection Syrians have with their land, saying, "By the grace of God, we returned to our village and our land. This is the dream of all Syrians." Despite witnessing significant destruction, including remnants from the 2023 earthquakes and bombings, Muvas observed that the spirit of fellowship among Syrians remained strong, motivating them to rebuild their homeland.

The February 6, 2023, earthquakes, which claimed between 6,000-8,500 lives in northwestern Syria, have left lingering traces of devastation. However, the returnees are determined to overcome these challenges, including infrastructure and communication issues. Hanna Jalluf, who returned to Quniyah post-regime, noted an improvement in conditions and observed that life felt better than before, underscoring a renewed sense of hope among the returning population.