After 14 years away, Syrian actor finds his farm replaced by militant tunnels

Jihad Saqqa returns home in Aleppo countryside, finds his farm riddled with war tunnels

Last updated: August 05, 2025 | 16:32

1 MIN READ

After 14 years away, Syrian actor finds his farm replaced by militant tunnels

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Dubai: When Syrian actor Jihad Saqqa returned to his farm in the northern countryside of Aleppo, he expected overgrowth and disrepair. Instead, he found something far more unsettling: the land had vanished beneath his feet.

In a viral video that has sparked outrage across Syrian social media, Saqqa documented the transformation of his once-peaceful property in the village of Tel Sha’eer. In a place of olive trees and fields stood a network of deep tunnels—allegedly excavated by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) during their control of the area.

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“What you're seeing is not a scene from a film,” Saqqa says in the footage. “This is my land. Or what used to be.”

The footage captured crumbling entrances, collapsed earth, and signs of military activity, highlighting the extent to which civilian properties have been altered—or lost—after the 14-year war.

Local reactions have ranged from sorrow to fury, with many citing the video as a stark reminder of how deeply the war has scarred both land and lives.

Khitam Al AmirChief News Editor

With over 30 years of journalistic experience spanning from Jordan to the UAE, Khitam has spent the past 22 years reporting on national and regional news from Dubai, with a strong focus on the UAE, GCC and broader Arab affairs. As Chief News Editor, she brings extensive expertise in delivering breaking and engaging news to readers. Beginning her tenure as a translator, she advanced through roles as Senior Translator and Chief Translator before transitioning to editorial positions, culminating in her current leadership role. Her responsibilities encompass monitoring breaking news across the UAE and the broader Arab region, ensuring timely and accurate dissemination to the public. Born into a family of journalists, Khitam's passion for news was ignited early in life. A defining moment in her youth occurred in September 1985 when she had the opportunity to converse with the late British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during her visit to a Palestinian refugee camp north of Amman. During this encounter, Khitam shared her family's experiences of displacement from their home in Palestine and their subsequent refuge in Jordan. This poignant interaction not only deepened her understanding of geopolitical issues but also solidified her commitment to pursuing a career in journalism, aiming to shed light on the stories of those affected by regional conflicts. Khitam’s commitment to accurate and timely reporting drives her to seek out news that interests readers, making her a trusted source for news on the UAE and the broader Gulf region.

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