Syria: Heartbreak and hope: Refugees come home to war-torn Homs

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June 20th is World Refugee Day. The United Nations says a total of 1.4 million Syrian refugees returned to their homes last year. But they now face a wide range of challenges. CGTN's Han Peng visited the war-torn area of Homs and talked to returnees.

These children may have no idea why their hometown has been reduced to rubble. They were born here in a rural region of Homs but they grew up as refugees in Lebanon. Now have decided to return to a place they once called home.

CATHY SYRIAN RESIDENT "Most people we know fled Syria and never came back. Among them were my parents, brothers and sisters. But my husband and I decided that there is no place quite like home."

The battle for Homs started not long after the Arab Spring. Carpet bombardments with heavy weapons were almost routine. Many residents fled their homes as the bloodshed literally reached their doorsteps. The Syrian army did not take full control of the region until 2017. When the family returned, the once middle-class Syrians found there was nothing left but four bare walls.

CATHY SYRIAN RESIDENT "My husband and I decided to repair it no matter what. Now we've completed the most crucial part: water, natural gas and electricity."

In the middle of the ruins, we were invited to a cup of coffee.

Reporter to child: "Which city do you like?"

Child: "London."

To our surprise, their ten-year-old daughter Judy speaks some English. Her mom says she was a top student in every school she attended over the past few years on the move.

CATHY SYRIAN RESIDENT "She is another reason we needed to come home and settle down. My children need a stable place to go to school."

The legacy of war leaves a mark on every generation of Syrians. Mahmoud Ahmad spent almost all he had to buy a holiday apartment in Homs in 2010, right before the war started. This is the first time he has returned to check to see if his property is still there.

Reporter: "How do you feel now?"

MAHMOUD AHMAD SYRIAN RESIDENT "In fact I feel very much excited because…"

Reporter: "Are you worried about the damage?"

"Actually yes I am."

The devastation in Homs has left it unrecognizable, and difficult for Mahmoud to find his way around.

MAHMOUD AHMAD SYRIAN RESIDENT "This is my apartment. On the right side."

Reporter: "Which one?"

"That one on the top."

Reporter: "Looks OK, in a good shape."

Then we go in to find some surprises.

After years of bloodshed by brutal forces, Homs is a lot like a jungle in several ways.

"We are really getting into the war zone. Fighting the dogs, who are taking over this house."

Reporter: "Oh look at those puppies."

The more we get in, the more heartbreak we see.

"This is supposed to be my bedroom."

And this is supposed to be his bathroom which he had already finished decorating.

Ahmad is taking pictures of the damage, but he says he might also be picturing the moments he will enjoy with his family on this balcony, once his house is fully repaired from the scar of war.

Han Peng, CGTN, Homs, Syria.