In Syria’s Jobar, locals struggle to rebuild their destroyed homes
Jobar, a Damascus suburb destroyed during Syria's 13-year war, faces significant reconstruction challenges as residents attempt to return and rebuild. The neighbourhood was heavily damaged between 2012 and 2018 when it served as a rebel-held frontline, with approximately 95 percent of buildings destroyed by government bombardment. Current obstacles to reconstruction include tunnel networks, infrastructure deficits, mine clearance operations, and financing constraints.
Jobar, located in East Damascus, exemplifies the broader reconstruction crisis facing Syria following the recent change in government. The neighbourhood was a thriving residential area before the 2011 outbreak of civil conflict, home to historic religious sites and commercial activity. However, its position as a rebel-held frontline between 2012 and 2018 subjected it to sustained military assault, leaving the vast majority of its built environment in ruins.
The conflict's physical legacy extends beyond surface destruction. Opposition forces constructed an extensive tunnel network to provide protection from aerial and ground attacks, creating a labyrinthine underground infrastructure that residents nicknamed 'the Bermuda Triangle' due to navigation difficulties. Following the government's 2018 recapture of the area, authorities sealed the neighbourhood to civilian entry and subsequently filled many tunnel openings with earth and rubble. The hollow ground beneath buildings has contributed to structural collapses, compounding the hazards residents face.
Since the recent change in government in December 2024, some former residents have returned to assess their properties for the first time in years. However, they report encountering barriers to rebuilding efforts. An active mine clearance operation continues throughout the area, and the absence of basic infrastructure further complicates reconstruction planning. Former residents and current visitors describe a landscape that remains largely uninhabitable and inaccessible for development.
Financial constraints represent another critical obstacle to recovery. The previous government's departure left the country facing severe economic damage alongside existing international sanctions, limiting available resources for reconstruction initiatives. These combined factors—physical destruction, underground hazards, security concerns, and economic constraints—position Jobar as a microcosm of Syria's broader post-conflict reconstruction challenge.
The live signal stream across the Qatari market.