Topic summary
Tel Rifaat
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Tell Rifaat.
Syrian civil war
In February 2025, according to some sources, residents returning to Tel Rifaat, Syria, after displacement since 2016, confronted extensive devastation. The town, previously controlled by Kurdish forces and later seized by Turkish-backed rebels, is now characterized by widespread ruins and a complex network of underground military tunnels. These tunnels, constructed beneath homes and public buildings, have compromised structural integrity, complicating reconstruction efforts. Returning families find their homes stripped of essentials like wiring and plumbing. A concrete wall, once a military barrier, now obstructs access to farmland. Despite poor infrastructure, the resilient residents of Tel Rifaat are diligently clearing debris and striving to rebuild their lives.