Syrian Artist Reclaims Daraya's Ruined Walls

Artist Bilal Shorba, known as the 'Syrian Banksy,' has returned to Daraya, a city that lost its entire population during the Syrian civil war. He discovered some of his murals, symbols of the revolution's evolution, had survived the destruction. Despite the devastation, including the loss of all hospitals, residents who were forced into exile are returning to rebuild their lives and community, demonstrating an indomitable spirit.

Daraya, located near Damascus, paid a heavy price for its early protests. After a brutal siege and bombardment, its 250,000 inhabitants were expelled in 2016. Since 2019, a trickle of residents, including women, children, and later men, have returned, bringing skills and resources to aid reconstruction. They are actively rebuilding homes and businesses, not waiting for external aid, driven by a strong sense of community and the sacrifices made.

The city faces immense challenges, with 65 percent of buildings destroyed and critical infrastructure like hospitals and schools non-operational. However, the resolve of Daraya's people remains strong. Doctors and journalists who fled have returned, continuing their work amidst the ruins. The community is also focused on remembering the dead, with efforts to identify and commemorate victims of massacres and those who disappeared.