The town of Tel Rifaat in northwestern Syria experienced a rare moment of calm recently, bringing relief to both fighters and civilians who have long faced the threat of bombardment. A local resident, identified only as Ali, expressed a sense of security, noting the absence of attacks or bombings.
As night fell, Syrian rebel fighters, who had recently recaptured the town from government-aligned forces, gathered for evening prayers, celebrating their victory that allowed many families to return home after years of displacement.
Firas Alito al-Ageid, a commander of the rebel unit, emphasized the community's desire to return, stating, "The people of Tel Rifaat really wanted to return to their town." Before the civil war began in 2011, Tel Rifaat was a farming town with a population of around 50,000, known for its strong opposition to President Bashar al-Assad's government.
In 2016, control of Tel Rifaat shifted to Syrian Kurdish fighters allied with the Assad regime, leading to mass displacement of residents. For eight years, rebel fighters sought to regain control of the area, culminating in their recent success.
Rebel fighters and commanders from the Syrian National Army, backed by Turkey, described the unexpected turnaround in their fortunes. One fighter, Muhammad Alito, attributed their return to divine intervention, while commander al-Ageid cited careful planning and coordination among rebel units as key factors in their success.
Al-Ageid noted that the rebels faced fewer airstrikes than usual and that government forces had withdrawn from the town prior to the main fighting, which contributed to the rebels' swift victory.
Despite the presence of Kurdish fighters until the end, they were unable to maintain control as the rebels attacked from multiple directions, leading to the Kurdish militias' retreat after three days of fighting.
The town, however, bears the scars of conflict, with many buildings damaged from previous airstrikes. Yet, signs of civilian life are returning, as displaced families begin to clear rubble and children play in the streets.
Fighters from the Syrian National Army have temporarily occupied a former Kurdish base and are guarding checkpoints, although heavy weapons are notably absent. The main fighting force has since moved on to other fronts.
A poignant family reunion took place in one home, where Asma Haj Ali welcomed her daughters and their children after eight years apart. The daughters had traveled from different regions, one from Aleppo, which was under government control until recently, and the other from a tent camp near the Turkish border.
Asma described the moment the rebels arrived in the town, recalling that she was unaware of the changes until her son knocked on the door on the evening of November 30.