Home › DW       20.06.2026

Can the Kurds in Syria achieve autonomy after Assad? | DW Reporter

They are returning to their homeland, but it lies in ruins. Caught between fear and loss, Syria's Kurds ask themselves: Is there still a home for us?

The journey home begins with hope — and often ends in despair. Many Kurdish families are venturing to return to their former homeland, only to find destroyed homes, new power arrangements and a fragile level of security. Mohammad recalls how he had to leave everything behind — now he stands amid the ruins of his life.

The new ruling powers want a Syrian state, an army and centralized authority. This is the opposite of what the Kurdish authorities seek to preserve: decentralized governance, recognition of Kurdish identity and local security forces. As political promises clash with reality, uncertainty grows: How will the Kurds fit into the new Syria? DW's Senior International Correspondent Fanny Facsar and Afif Hanna Amireh report from Syria.

Chapters: 00:00 Life after the war: Uncertainty in Syria 01:23 Escape and loss: Mohammad's story 02:31 Change of power and failed Kurdish talks 03:55 Journey through a fragmented country 04:55 Destruction in Aleppo and a difficult return 06:10 Afrin under Turkish influence 06:58 Memories of war and personal losses 08:20 Expert warns of instability and the threat of ISIS 09:14 Al-Roj Camp: Radicalization and lack of prospects 11:00 Hope for return despite an uncertain future

#dwcurrentaffairs #syria #civilwar

For more news go to: http://www.dw.com/en/

Follow DW on social media: ►Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwnews ►TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dwnews ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deutschewellenews/ ►Twitter: https://twitter.com/dwnews

Für Videos in deutscher Sprache besuchen Sie: https://www.youtube.com/dwdeutsch

Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?sub_confirmation=1

More video News