‘City of Hope’ inaugurated for Syrians shaken by war

AZEZ, Syria, ISTANBUL

A new community aimed at providing refuge for Syrians affected by the civil war officially opened in northwestern Syria on Thursday.

The "City of Hope" was built through the collaboration of Qatar Charity and Türkiye's IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, and it will house around 10,000 people.

The opening ceremony in the city of Azez was attended by several key figures, including Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, Qatar’s minister of state for international cooperation, Türkiye's deputy interior minister Munir Karaoglu, Gaziantep mayor Fatma Sahin, and other representatives from both governments and humanitarian organizations.

“We are happy to be with the Syrian people, whom we consider as part of our family. Today, we are inaugurating the City of Hope. Just as in the past, we stand by the Syrian people who are striving for freedom," Misnad said.

Karaoglu emphasized Türkiye’s ongoing support in various sectors across Syria, including shelter, humanitarian aid, education, and healthcare. “Today’s opening of the City of Hope is a concrete example of our efforts.”

The project, built on a 280-acre plot, consists of nine neighborhoods and offers a variety of essential services, including 1,400 housing units, four schools, a mosque, a sports complex, a clinic, a conference hall, and a market with 50 shops.

“This city is a gift to the Syrian people who have suffered for 14 years due to the brutal war and have been forced to flee,” said Yousef Al-Kuwari, the CEO of Qatar Charity.

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus last month, ending his family's decades-long rule.

A new administration led by Ahmed Al-Sharaa, now the transitional president, has taken control of the war-torn country. He has urged the lifting of sanctions to recover from nearly 14 years of civil war.