The Islamic State [IS] controlled the town of Tal Hamis, south of the city of Qamishli, for almost two years.
In late February 2015, following weeks of fighting supported by US-led coalition airstrikes, the Kurdish fighters of the People’s Protection Units [YPG] managed to push IS out of Tal Hamis and its surroundings.
After the town was liberated, less than half of its 20,000 residents returned.
The rest remain displaced in nearby villages or in Qamishli, living in partially destroyed buildings.
Those who came back face difficult living conditions, given the damage to the town’s infrastructure and public services such as water, electricity, agriculture, health and education.
Damascus Bureau’s Bukhityar Hassan visited the town and took the following photographs.
