In a harrowing tale of survival, Ahmed Yahia Dabbas and his family fled Lebanon to return to Syria, their war-torn homeland, after facing destruction in the Israeli bombardment of southern Beirut. The family's five-day journey back to Syria was fraught with challenges, including navigating numerous checkpoints where bribes were demanded for passage.
Upon reaching Aleppo city, they spent three nights in a precarious 'no man's land' before finally settling in the northern countryside of Idlib. Their story is just one of many as fear of detainment, torture, and death at the hands of the Syrian government drives people to seek refuge in non-regime-held areas.
The humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria has escalated, with an estimated 3.5 million internally displaced people, including 2 million living in camps. Recent drone attacks on civilians in residential areas have further exacerbated the situation, with suicide drones targeting civilian infrastructure.
The White Helmets, a rescue organization, have responded to hundreds of attacks, highlighting the ongoing danger faced by civilians in northwest Syria. Despite a recent offensive by Syrian rebels in Aleppo, the need for international support to end the atrocities and provide aid to displaced families remains critical.
As the conflict continues to ravage Syria, the plea for peace and an end to the bombings echoes through the voices of those like Dabbas, who long for safety, security, and a return to normalcy in their war-torn homeland.
