Al-Qusayr, Syria

Living in a war-ravaged Syrian border town comes with stark realities. With a current population of 46,772, this strategically positioned city 35km south of Homs has been a flashpoint in Syria's civil war, changing hands multiple times between government forces and opposition groups since 2011.

The city's position near the Lebanese border and its role as a key transport route between Damascus and the Mediterranean coast have made it a perpetual military target. Once home to a diverse mix of Sunni Muslims and Catholics, al-Qusayr's demographic makeup shifted dramatically after 2012 when most Christians and Alawites fled following rebel control. The area's agricultural heritage of olive groves, apple orchards and wheat fields has been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict, though its 540-meter elevation and historically favorable climate once made it an attractive settlement dating back to ancient times.

What was once a growing urban center that hosted historical figures like Ibrahim Pasha and maintained important trade routes has become emblematic of Syria's sectarian divides and military struggles. The city's infrastructure, including its main hospital and municipal buildings, has been repeatedly targeted and damaged since 2011, creating serious challenges for remaining residents trying to maintain any semblance of normal life in this contested territory.