Photographer Sameer al-Doumy never imagined returning to Douma, his hometown in Syria, after fleeing through a rebel-dug tunnel seven years ago. Once a stronghold for opposition forces, Douma faced relentless bombardment and a devastating chemical attack in 2018.
“It feels like a dream to be here,” says Sameer, now 26. “The revolution was a dream, escaping the siege was a dream, and now returning is another.” His journey has been one of displacement, loss, and resilience.
Sameer fled Douma in 2017 at 19, leaving behind his family, apart from his sister, who also remains in exile. His childhood home, now occupied by a cousin, remains a stark reminder of what was lost. “The house is unchanged, though the top floor was destroyed. My father’s library, his pride and joy, is still intact, but I couldn’t find the belongings my mother kept for me.”
The scars of war linger. “Douma has changed. Life is resuming, but many people are gone—killed, disappeared, or exiled. My memories here are tied to the conflict, and the family and friends who helped me survive are no longer around.”
Sameer’s photojournalism career began in Douma, documenting protests and the harrowing realities of life under siege. “I filmed demonstrations from a building overlooking the main mosque, often changing clothes to avoid arrest. If caught, I hid memory cards in my mouth, ready to swallow them.”
He escaped through a tunnel to the northern enclave of Idlib, eventually settling in France. Adopting the name “Sameer al-Doumy” symbolized his connection to a hometown he couldn’t return to—until now.
“In France, I built a stable life, but I always felt like a refugee. Returning to Syria made me feel I belonged somewhere again. Despite the hardship, your country accepts you as you are; you don’t have to prove anything.”
Witnessing the collapse of the Assad regime, Sameer reflects on the immense changes. “It’s hard to grasp how a regime that ruled through fear could fall. Returning to places like Al-Midan in Damascus brought overwhelming emotion. I couldn’t stop crying.”
Though separated from loved ones, Sameer holds onto hope. “My dream is for us to reunite in Syria. No matter how long it takes, I believe it will happen.”
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