A Syrian town's battle to rebuild after Hezbollah's scorched-earth campaign
The railway from Beirut to Damascus was conceived in the 19th century when the two capitals were not yet divided by national borders. The route was abandoned in the 1970s owing to Lebanon’s civil war. Today, in the Syrian town of Madaya , near the border with Lebanon, abandoned tracks where the train once stopped look almost new when they are not buried by dust. There is talk now among officials…
Madaya, a Syrian town near the Lebanon border, is actively working to rebuild its infrastructure and economy following a brutal siege by Hezbollah in 2015. As part of their scorched-earth campaign, Hezbollah destroyed the town's famous fruit orchards, preventing locals from reviving their crops. The town's infrastructure has also been severely damaged, leaving residents without access to clean water and electricity.
Despite these challenges, many of Madaya's displaced residents have returned, facing the daunting task of rebuilding their homes and livelihoods. Tariq Al Abdeh, the new Mayor of Madaya, is determined to restore the town's reputation as the "bride of the Damascus countryside." He emphasizes the importance of reviving the fruit orchards, which form a "green belt" vital to the town's economy.
Al Abdeh and other local leaders are advocating for government support to help displaced residents find work, access housing, and restore the destroyed infrastructure. While some progress has been made, such as securing the border with Lebanon, the task of rebuilding the town remains Herculean, requiring both local initiative and external assistance.
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