After nearly fourteen years of war, Syrians are slowly returning to the beach along the coast of Latakia, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Latakia

Syrians are gradually returning to the beaches of Latakia following nearly 14 years of war and the recent fall of Bashar al-Assad. Private resorts and public beaches are seeing increased visitors, reflecting a cautious return to normal life in the coastal city. 

Resort owners report a dramatic shift in the atmosphere, with fewer bureaucratic obstacles and more support from local authorities, particularly in the tourism sector. While the country continues to face significant challenges such as poverty and damaged infrastructure, many beachgoers express hope that these signs of recovery signal a brighter future.

Syrians flock to Latakia beaches after Assad's fall

After nearly 14 years of war, Syrians are—Syrians, excuse me, are slowly returning to the beach, the coastal city of Latakia. Private resorts and public beaches are filling up again, a small sign of normal life after the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Take a look. In Syria's coastal city of Latakia, the beaches are alive again. Families, young people, and tourists are flocking to the Mediterranean shore, a scene few imagined possible after more than a decade of war. Private beach resorts are reopening, reflecting a new sense of freedom after the fall of Bashar al-Assad last December. Resort owner Amr Tozan says the shift has been dramatic. AMR TOZAN, Resort Owner Interpreter for Bashar al-Assad Resort First of all, we didn't know what kind of reaction we'd get, but we still wanted to open the place and see, because, honestly, there were reassurances from the government. For me, as an investor, the problems I face today are not even 5 percent or 10 percent of the problems I used to face under the old regime. Honestly, the officials are cooperative. When it came to the tourism sector, we got support. They even told us, go ahead, you have freedom in your work regarding swimsuits, regarding alcohol. No one interfered with us. After initial hesitation, Tozan says people are returning, not just from the region, but from across the country. AMR TOZAN, Resort Owner Interpreter for Bashar al-Assad Resort At first, there was some fear. When we started working and posting stories online, people turned up. Now people from Damascus, for example, are coming here. They didn't visit at first. People from Aleppo were already coming, to be honest. The situation is good. We hope for the best, and we hope it will continue this way. Latakia's public beaches are also filling up. For many, it's a taste of normalcy in a country still reeling from nearly 14 years of conflict. I'm not saying the situation is 100 percent good, but it's much better than what we expected or compared to other countries where regime changes happened or anything like that. People are living their lives. People are comfortable and happy. But there is a lot of work that still needs to be done in the country. Syria still faces poverty, broken infrastructure and the scars of war. But here on the coast, beachgoers say the chance to swim, dance and relax offers hope that life can move forward.

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