Daijiworld Media Network - Damascus
Damascus, Jun 2: Thousands of displaced Alawi farmers in Syria fear losing their livelihoods for a second consecutive year as disputes over land ownership, security concerns and state-administered agricultural management continue to delay their return to farms in key pistachio-growing regions.
The issue has come into focus ahead of the pistachio harvest season, which is expected to begin in mid-June.
Before the outbreak of Syria's civil war in 2011, the country ranked among the world's leading pistachio producers, with the northern Hama countryside serving as the centre of the industry. Years of conflict, however, displaced large numbers of residents and devastated agricultural lands.
Following the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, many displaced Sunni families returned to their villages, while numerous Alawi residents fled, fearing retaliatory violence because of perceived links to the former regime.
Many returning residents found homes destroyed, farmland damaged and orchards neglected after years of conflict.
A major source of controversy now surrounds Iktifaa, a state-owned agricultural investment company that manages absentee-owned lands. The company says it is safeguarding properties until ownership disputes and security reviews are resolved.
Several displaced Alawi farmers claim they have been denied access to their lands despite not being accused of any wrongdoing. Some allege that harvest revenues have been collected without adequate compensation reaching the rightful owners.
According to Iktifaa officials, the company oversees thousands of hectares across multiple Syrian provinces and works alongside government bodies tasked with reviewing property ownership and alleged links to the former government.
The company maintains that the system is necessary to prevent illegal land seizures and disputes during a period of transition.
However, many farmers remain frustrated by delays in the review process.
Some landowners say they were informed that security checks were being conducted before they could regain access to their farms. Others have reportedly been cleared of allegations but remain unable to return because their homes are occupied or local security conditions remain unstable.
Provincial authorities in Hama have acknowledged the challenges and said efforts are underway to facilitate the return of displaced residents. Officials indicated that housing rehabilitation projects and temporary accommodation options are being considered to help both Sunni and Alawi families resettle.
Authorities also said reconciliation committees are being established in villages to address local grievances and resolve disputes stemming from the civil war.
Despite these efforts, many farmers remain concerned about the approaching harvest season and the possibility of suffering further financial losses.
Some have entered into temporary agreements with neighbouring farmers to cultivate and harvest their crops, while others continue to wait for official decisions regarding property rights and access to their lands.
The Syrian government has stated that it aims to restore civil peace and support the return of displaced communities. Officials have indicated that mechanisms allowing citizens to challenge land seizures and administrative decisions are expected to be introduced in the coming weeks.
For many displaced farmers, however, the immediate concern remains whether they will be able to harvest this year's crop and rebuild livelihoods disrupted by more than a decade of conflict.