The former Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk, on the outskirts of Damascus, offers a glimpse into how brutal the Syrian civil war was for the civilian population. Home to more than 150,000 people, Yarmuk was completely destroyed during the early years of the war. Now, many are returning to try to rebuild their devastated homes. (Images taken on Dec. 20, 2024)
Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk shows extent of violence during 13-year civil war in Syria
- By Yan Boechat
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Faizan Abdumullah, 73, decided to return to Yarmuk, after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. She was born and raised here but had to flee her home when the civil war started in 2011.
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Like most residents of Yarmuk, Hussein Hilled, 48, returned to this former Palestinian refugee camp in recent weeks. He said he found his house still standing, but everything inside was looted or burned.
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A Syrian family attempts to return to Yarmuk after the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell earlier this month.
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Yarmuk once housed more than 150,000 residents. Its population dwindled to fewer than 1,000 people in 2018, but now many refugees are returning to try to rebuild their old homes.