Mayyada had to drop out of university when the region fell under the control of Islamic State (IS). The militants forbade subjects including law, philosophy and foreign languages.
“I will never forget that for two years, I couldn’t even put on a little lipstick. I always had to be covered when I went out. I’ll never again be subjected to their ridiculous concept of decency,” she added.
Like many others who fled in Deir ez-Zor, Mayyada now lives in the Mabrouka camp, set up in 2016 by local authorities in Syria’s Hasakeh governorate to house those escaping IS rule.
Although only a few pockets of IS influence remain in the area, many former residents say that they prefer to wait a while longer in the camp before risking the return homes.
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