In Afrin, breathing easier again

February 18, 2026 - 10:42

On a cold January morning, Dr. Dima Jaabar listened carefully to the uneven breathing of two young boys brought into the Rajo health centre in the rural countryside of Afrin. Their condition, a common respiratory infection exacerbated by winter chill and years of poor infrastructure, was once a dire prognosis. Today, however, it is a treatable ailment, symbolizing a tangible shift for this northern Syrian region.

After enduring a prolonged period of conflict and instability that crippled essential services, the people of Afrin are witnessing a slow but steady restoration of normalcy. The most significant change is the marked improvement in healthcare availability. Previously shuttered clinics like the one in Rajo are now operational, staffed by returning medical professionals and supplied with essential medicines. For families, this means no longer facing impossible journeys for basic care or watching preventable illnesses take hold.

Beyond the clinic walls, the return of consistent electricity has been transformative. It powers not only homes but also water purification systems, directly addressing a key public health issue. The sound of generators has faded, replaced by a more reliable grid that allows businesses to operate and children to study after dark. While reconstruction is an ongoing process and challenges remain, the fundamental ability to breathe easier—both literally and metaphorically—is taking root. This renewed stability offers a fragile yet precious foundation for community recovery and a hopeful look toward the future.