Stories & Testimonies

Abdurrahman Khalil Murshid, born in 1966 in the tranquil village of Miska in Syria’s Afrin region, lived a life shaped by his principles of justice, generosity, and humanity. Growing up in a prosperous and well-respected family, he completed his education in Jindires town, west of Afrin city, and began his career as a trader. Yet, his most defining role was …

“We gathered our lifeless pieces and mixed them into one tune and we departed far away like wishes, but our watchful souls did not enjoy rest. Fate wanted death to take them from us while we were unaware. They were buried far from the soil of their land, and the dream of return was buried with them..! Years pass and …

A story of displacement My mother’s psychological condition deteriorated due to the fear of the shells, but I said: “No matter what happens, I will not leave my house”. Shells were falling around our house. We saw scout planes and helicopters hovering over the village. The idea of leaving the village did not occur to me for a moment. At …

“I fear that the idea of returning to our land again, becomes just a dream that comes true with a will after death, because of the Afrin region situation after more than five years, and we are still displaced. I do not ignore the idea that my will becomes the following: that my body be transported after my death to …

After the Turkish “Olive Branch” operation, I returned to the Afrin region. My return was not intentional. Fate took me to hands and lands that I had never known. Afrin was only a name. I can believe the fact that I did not feel that it was the land on whose soil I was born and whose bounties I ate, …

“Five years have passed, and I am still waiting for him, counting the hours and minutes of every day passes until the time for the meeting comes, then I return empty-handed without any news about him. I do not know if he is alive or dead, but something tells me not to lose hope.” This is how “Sarah/a pseudonym” describes …

I am now in my mid-forties, a mother of four children, three boys and a girl. I now live in Aleppo city, after we were displaced from my village, as a result of our trip to the “Shahba” area before that, and because of my husband’s health condition, which forced us to move. Man doesn’t know what he has to …

When I recall my past memories in Afrin, I feel a great pain filling my heart, so that, I am not able to reveal the details of my previous life. Our life was really beautiful! I was with my children and my husband, we lived a stable life, and our financial conditions were very good. My husband was a merchant …