08.02.2025 00:31
The Turkmen in the Bayırbucak region of Syria's Latakia province are experiencing the joy of returning to their villages after many years, while also feeling the sadness of encountering ruined houses. The Turkmen have requested support from Turkey for the reconstruction of the region.
After many years, the Bayırbucak Turkmen returning from the city center of Latakia and Turkey performed Friday prayers in the village of Nisibin in Syria. The 29 Turkmen who were martyred only in the village of Nisibin during the civil war in the country were commemorated with respect and prayers.
Flags of the Free Syrian Army and Turkey were hung on the walls of the mosque. After the prayer, those gathered in the village school celebrated the fall of the Baath regime with revolutionary songs.
"WE EXPECT SUPPORT FROM OUR TURKEY"
Yusuf Kara Ali, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Latakia University, stated in an interview with AA that he is experiencing great happiness in returning to the village of Nisibin, which he has longed for after 14 years. Kara Ali said, "We want to live in the village, but there is a lot of destruction. If everyone returns here, life will be better."
Kara Ali expressed the difficulties they faced in the village, saying, "Unfortunately, there are no houses to live in. The roofs have been bombed. Rockets have been fired. The gardens are mined, and we cannot enter safely." He congratulated Syrian President Ahmed Shara, stating, "We have come this far. We will rebuild this place. We expect support from our Turkey."
"WE WILL PRESERVE THIS PLACE, WE WILL RAISE IT UP"
Dentist Ercan Bal, who is studying in Turkey, expressed that he returned to his village after 12 years to celebrate the victory. Bal stated that the traces of war are seriously felt in the village, saying, "The people are not in a position to solve the problems of this place with their own means. There are 300 households in this village, and 200 of them are uninhabitable. A larger effort is needed."
Bal requested support from Turkey for reconstruction, saying, "After coming here, on one hand, we say 'I wish we hadn't come here.' On the other hand, we say 'We have escaped from Bashar al-Assad.' We will preserve this place. We will raise it up."
"HOUSES AND FIELDS HAVE TURNED INTO RUINS"
Zekeriyya Kadı, one of the Bayırbucak Turkmen who returned to the village of Nisibin, expressed his happiness in visiting the martyrs' cemetery and performing Friday prayers after 14 years. Kadı stated, "Houses and fields have unfortunately turned into ruins. It requires a lot of effort. Most of the houses have no roofs." He said he would continue to fight to preserve these places. Kadı expressed that his feelings are mixed, as he feels joy in returning to his village while also feeling sadness at seeing the destroyed village.
"NO ONE PITIES THE BRANCH OF A TREE EXCEPT ITS ROOT"
Hüseyin Topal Ali, the imam of the Nisibin Mosque, expressed his condolences to those who were martyred for the sake of regaining this land. He stated, "No one pities the branch of a tree except its root." Topal Ali requested support from the Turkish people and government for the ruined infrastructure, mined land, and abandoned houses in the village. Topal Ali said, "They have stood by us for years. They did not abandon us. Now we are waiting for your support (Turkey)."