Thousands of Syrians who were displaced during years of conflict have begun returning to parts of northern Hama, where authorities are working to address complex property disputes left behind by the country's civil war.
Many returning families say they are trying to rebuild their lives after spending years away from their homes, farmland and businesses. Large areas of the region were heavily affected by fighting, forcing residents to flee and leaving agricultural land abandoned.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, local authorities have overseen efforts to restore ownership rights and resolve competing claims over homes and farmland. The process has proven difficult, with some properties changing hands during the conflict and others falling under state administration.
Officials say they are attempting to balance security concerns with the rights of displaced residents seeking to return. While some former landowners have successfully recovered property, disputes remain over thousands of acres of farmland, particularly in agricultural communities known for pistachio production.
The issue highlights one of the major challenges facing post-war Syria as communities work to recover from years of displacement, rebuild local economies and settle ownership claims dating back to the conflict.
