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Freedom to Explore: Artisan's Journey Across Syria Begins

1/13/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Areej Miro, a 24-year-old artisan from Damascus, hiked to the sixth-century Deir Mar Musa monastery, located 50 miles north of Damascus.
The nearly 14-year civil war ended a year ago with the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
The war restricted her travel to only three of Syria's 14 provinces.
Now, with the conflict behind her, she plans to visit every province.

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Story summary

Areej Miro, a 24-year-old artisan from Damascus, hiked to the sixth-century Deir Mar Musa monastery, located 50 miles north of Damascus.
The nearly 14-year civil war ended a year ago with the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.
The war restricted her travel to only three of Syria's 14 provinces.
Now, with the conflict behind her, she plans to visit every province.