Arrival to Syria from Masnaa. (Credit: Matthieu Karam)
Fifteen kilometers from Shtoura, at the Masnaa border crossing, four-year-old Qays entered Syria for the first time. His father, Mohammad Amer, who fled Qousseir in 2013 when it was retaken by the Syrian army and Hezbollah, carried him across the border. “We are no longer refugees,” Amer said.“For the first time, I am proud to say that I am Syrian. Shame has changed sides.” He expressed relief at no longer having to use the words "camp," "humiliation," or "shabiha" in his stories. With Qousseir liberated at 12:15 a.m. that day, Amer said he was dreaming of the “Syria of the future” and no longer afraid to talk to strangers.“In Lebanon, we lived in hiding,” he explained. “I never dared give my name or number to anyone.” To Qays, clutching a Syrian revolution flag printed on A4 paper, Amer said that if, in 20 years, he too had to make a...
Fifteen kilometers from Shtoura, at the Masnaa border crossing, four-year-old Qays entered Syria for the first time. His father, Mohammad Amer, who fled Qousseir in 2013 when it was retaken by the Syrian army and Hezbollah, carried him across the border. “We are no longer refugees,” Amer said.“For the first time, I am proud to say that I am Syrian. Shame has changed sides.” He expressed relief at no longer having to use the words "camp," "humiliation," or "shabiha" in his stories. With Qousseir liberated at 12:15 a.m. that day, Amer said he was dreaming of the “Syria of the future” and no longer afraid to talk to strangers.“In Lebanon, we lived in hiding,” he explained. “I never dared give my name or number to anyone.” To Qays, clutching a Syrian revolution flag printed on A4 paper, Amer said that if, in 20 years, he...