Displaced Syrians Reclaim Homes and Olive Groves After War

Overview

Abdallah Ibrahim, the former mayor of Al Ghassaniyeh, returned after the fall of the Assad government to find foreign fighters living in his family home and harvesting his olive groves — a story echoed across Syria as millions displaced during the civil war try to return. An estimated 7.4 million Syrians were displaced internally and about 6 million fled abroad; in many areas fighters from abroad (including Chechens, Uzbeks and ethnic Uyghurs) occupied empty houses with commanders' approval, leaving minority communities particularly fearful and frustrated by language barriers, damage and loss of property.

New local authorities and religious leaders have been negotiating returns, property claims and harvest arrangements amid complications such as forged deeds, wartime sales and structures built on occupied land. In some places fighters agreed to temporary arrangements (for example splitting olive harvests) while officials worked to restore ownership; in Al Ghassaniyeh residents ultimately regained their homes and land and celebrated the return, though wider legal and compensation issues remain to be resolved, as reported by NPR