A Syrian town's battle to rebuild after Hezbollah's scorched-earth campaign

Madaya, a Syrian town near the Lebanon border, has been struggling to rebuild after Hezbollah's scorched-earth campaign in 2015. The Iranian-backed militia surrounded the town, allegedly killing dozens and causing many to flee, with 30,000 left displaced from the broader district. Though the Syrian regime fell in December 2024 and most displaced residents returned, the town now faces the daunting task of repairing its homes and economy, largely on its own.

Hezbollah's scorched earth tactics have devastated Madaya's famed fruit orchards, destroying the trees and selling the wood to Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. Local activist Mahmoud Hammadi described the destruction as vengeful, noting that Hezbollah burnt around 10km of Madaya's plains. The town's infrastructure has also been damaged, with water supply and transportation networks disrupted.

Mayor Tariq Al Abdeh hopes to restore Madaya's reputation as "the bride of the Damascus countryside," emphasizing the need to revive the fruit orchards. However, the community, including young people affected by the war, faces challenges such as unemployment and lack of resources. The government and diaspora have provided some support, but recovery efforts will largely need to be locally driven, with potential decentralization to give councils greater control over fund-raising and tax incentives.