After 14 years of exile, many Syrians are preparing to return home, filled with hope and uncertainty. Their journey is not just about going back to a place, but reclaiming lost connections and memories.
A truck loaded with refugees' belongings departs from Zaatari Camp heading to Syria. ©UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
For fourteen years, millions of Syrians lived in exile, carrying their memories of home in their hearts while trying to rebuild their lives in Jordan. They all thought it would be for a couple of days only, but this turned into years, and many wondered if they would ever be able to see their homeland again.
Now, 14 years later, the tides are shifting, and hope has found its way back into their lives. Thousands are preparing for a journey they once thought impossible. Families are packing their bags, saying emotional goodbyes, and preparing for a journey they had only dreamed of —returning home.
But what does home mean after all these years? What do they hope to find? And what do they leave behind?
“I Miss My Mother the Most” says Fares Abu Hussaini, 52 years old from Daraa.
©UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
For Fares returning to Syria is more than just going back to a place; it’s reuniting with the people and memories he left behind. After fleeing Daraa in 2012, he spent 13 years in Jordan, raising his children and grandchildren in Zaatari Camp.
Fares is pictured with his grandchildren in their caravan at Zaatari Camp. ©UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
A skilled electrician, Fares dedicated his time to improving electricity access in the camp, volunteering with NGOs and volunteering with UNHCR But now, he feels his skills are needed elsewhere.
“The experiences I gained in Zaatari will come with me to rebuild Syria,” he says with determination.
Yet, the uncertainty ahead is real. “I don’t know what to expect when I go back. I don’t even know if my house is still there,” he admits. Yet, one thing is certain—his mother, who has been waiting for him every day for the past 13 years, is the first person he cannot wait to embrace again.
“I miss my mother the most,” Fares says softly. “She has been waiting for me every day for the past 13 years.”
“It’s My Homeland—That’s It” Says Waleed Qutaish, 40 years old from Homs.
Waleed is pictured at the UNHCR registration center while renewing his Asylum Seeker Certificate. ©UNHCR/Sana Hamdan
Waleed has faced daily struggles in Jordan. Finding work, paying rent, and covering his children’s education has been an uphill battle. But despite the challenges, he never lost sight of one goal: returning home.
“I will return to my country. It’s my homeland and that’s it” he says with confidence. “If not now, then very soon.”
He knows Syria is not perfect yet. Prices are high, electricity is unreliable, and stability is still fragile. But for him, one thing matters most, Syria is free.
The memories of home pull him back. “It’s my land, my family, my childhood. Every part of it holds special memories in my heart.” His mother, brothers, uncles—so many of his loved ones—are still there, waiting. “We need to go back, rebuild it, and live a dignified life,” he says. “We will go back and live a dignified and proud life.”
Still, he will never forget the kindness of Jordan. “Syria and Jordan are one country, one people,” he says. “We were never made to feel like strangers.”
“Describing Syria is like describing a mother—It’s hard to put into words” says Mohammad Qaddour, 27 years old from Homs
Mohammad at the bus station, loading the bags of his wife and children as they prepare to return to Syria. © UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
For Mohammad the return to Syria is happening in stages. His wife and young son have already left for Homs, along with his sister and her children. He stayed behind in Jordan due to work commitments but plans to follow them in a few months.
“I came to say goodbye to my wife and son,” he says. “I wish I could leave with them, but I have responsibilities here. I need to take care of them first.”
For him, Syria is more than just a place, it’s a feeling, a deep connection that words cannot fully describe.
“Describing Syria is like describing a mother—It’s hard to put into words” he says. “It’s really hard… hard, hard.”
“At Last, We Are Returning to Our Beloved Country” Says Mohammad Almasri, 65 years old from Daraa
Mohammad moves his belongings from the caravan to the truck heading to Syria. © UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
After 11 years in Zaatari Camp, Mohammad Almasri and his family carefully packed their belongings, preparing for a journey they had long dreamed of—returning home. Friends and neighbors gathered around, lending a helping hand. The air was thick with emotions—hugs, whispered prayers, and promises to meet again.
“At last, we are returning to our beloved country and homes,” Mohammad says, his voice filled with both relief and anticipation. “I’ve deeply missed my homeland, my house, and my family.” Like many others, he has spent years aching for the embrace of loved ones he left behind. “My nephews were just babies when I left, I probably wouldn’t even recognize them now,” he adds.
Mohammad’s family and neighbors help him pack his items and load them onto the truck. © UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
His son, Hisham, is leaving alongside him. Having spent more than a decade in Zaatari, he used his time to grow, gaining valuable skills through training programs and NGO work. Now, he carries those experiences with him, hopeful that they will help him build a future in Syria.
“I am happy to return to my homeland, but I am also sad to leave Zaatari,” he says, torn between the past and the future. “Jordan welcomed us and made us feel like family.”
Hisham, Mohammad’s son, packing his belongings. © UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
The decision to return is never simple. Many refugees still grapple with uncertainty, questioning whether Syria is truly ready for their return. According to the latest UNHCR return intention survey, over a quarter of Syrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Egypt plan to return within the next 12 months to rebuild their lives.
While thousands of refugees are preparing to return home, many more remain hesitant, uncertain about the conditions awaiting them in Syria. According to the intentions survey, the majority of Syrian refugees in Jordan do not intend to return in the next 12 months, but will remain in Jordan. Their needs should not be overlooked. Many refugees in Jordan live in poverty, struggling with debt just to afford essentials like food, medicine, and rent. Those who choose to stay still need support, and it is crucial to ensure that the services and assistance they rely on is maintained.
Yet, for those returning and those staying, one thing is certain; hope is slowly but surely rising once more.
For Fares, Mohammad, Waleed, and countless others, the journey home represents more than just a return to a place—it’s about reclaiming a life, reconnecting with their past, and rebuilding a future that was once thought impossible.
And as they take their first steps back onto Syrian soil, they carry with them the belief that no matter how much time has passed or how much has changed, home will always be home.
Mohammad waves goodbye from the truck as he heads back to Syria. © UNHCR/Shawkat Alharfoush
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