Left Beirut for Sweden: "Everything is destroyed"

Zeinab Halawi, 29 years old, stands at an airport in Iraq with a one-way ticket to Sweden. In war-torn Lebanon, she has left a bombed-out company and a home with shattered windows. The life I have built is destroyed, everything is gone and now I have to start over, she says.

» Updated:

» Published:

Left Beirut for Sweden: "Everything is destroyed"
Photo: Privat/Hassan Ammar/AP/TT

Share this article

Zeinab Halawi is at the airport in Erbil, Iraq. She is waiting for her next flight to Turkey and then her final flight to Sweden.

After completing her education at the university in Beirut, she started her own dietitian and training clinic. One day, everything changed when the Israeli attacks hit the building where her clinic was located.

I've lost my job and my business that I've built, I can't stay in Beirut. Everything is destroyed, she says.

Over the past few weeks, she has woken up to the sound of bombs at night and the windows in her apartment have been shattered by shockwaves, she explains.

People are dying, families are sleeping in schools, and there's nothing you can do about it. There are no words, it's all so terrible.

Family, friends, and boyfriend

Her mother, grandparents, brother, and boyfriend live in Lebanon, and her father and another brother in Sweden. Leaving Lebanon for Sweden was not an easy decision, but without a job and due to the dangerous situation, she made the decision to leave.

My mom cried and said I should go to the safest place I can, and for me, that's Sweden.

Starting from scratch

Zeinab lived in Sweden as a child and has since visited many times, but only as a tourist.

Last October, the Foreign Ministry issued the strongest form of travel warning to Lebanon, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged all Swedish citizens in Lebanon to leave the country.

Why didn't you leave Lebanon earlier?

No one believed it would get this bad, it's come as a shock to everyone.

Looking ahead, she feels anxious.

I don't know where to start, but I need to get a job so I can afford the basics, she says.

She plans to live with family members in Sweden initially but says she wants to find her own accommodation as soon as possible.

I've been independent for so long and taken care of myself, so I want to continue doing that.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Social Democrats Urge Enhanced Protection for Elected Officials

Social Democrats Urge Enhanced Protection for Elected Officials

Two Men Detained in Kalix Murder Investigation

Two Men Detained in Kalix Murder Investigation

Russian Drones Deliberately Breach Polish Airspace, Says Swedish PM

Russian Drones Deliberately Breach Polish Airspace, Says Swedish PM

Sweden Boosts Defense Budget by 27 Billion Kronor Next Year

Sweden Boosts Defense Budget by 27 Billion Kronor Next Year

Stockholm Demands Repayment from Avarn Security for Double Billing

Stockholm Demands Repayment from Avarn Security for Double Billing

Man Sentenced to Six Years for Eleven Rapes in Jämtland County

Man Sentenced to Six Years for Eleven Rapes in Jämtland County

Borås Detention Center Escapees Remain Uncaptured

Borås Detention Center Escapees Remain Uncaptured

Västernorrland Uses Satellite Support to Assess Flood Impact

Västernorrland Uses Satellite Support to Assess Flood Impact

Mother of Six Finds Solace in City Mission's Support

Mother of Six Finds Solace in City Mission's Support

Police Launch National Security Measures for 2026 Election

Police Launch National Security Measures for 2026 Election

Suspected Hazardous Object in Malmö Confirmed as Live

Suspected Hazardous Object in Malmö Confirmed as Live

Kristersson Responds to Orbán's Claims: "Horrifying Lies"

Kristersson Responds to Orbán's Claims: "Horrifying Lies"

Government Boosts Environmental Compensation for Freight Trains

Government Boosts Environmental Compensation for Freight Trains

More Voters Expected in Next Year's Swedish Election

More Voters Expected in Next Year's Swedish Election

Pandemic Face Masks Pose Environmental Risk with Microplastics and Chemicals

Pandemic Face Masks Pose Environmental Risk with Microplastics and Chemicals

Teen Girl Stabbed in Borås; Suspect of Same Age Arrested

Teen Girl Stabbed in Borås; Suspect of Same Age Arrested

Algal Bloom Crisis Worsens at British Isles' Largest Lake Lough Neagh

Algal Bloom Crisis Worsens at British Isles' Largest Lake Lough Neagh

Man in His 70s Dies in Drowning Accident at Motala Beach

Man in His 70s Dies in Drowning Accident at Motala Beach

Government Plans to Add Chickenpox Vaccine to Child Vaccination Program

Government Plans to Add Chickenpox Vaccine to Child Vaccination Program

Gang Leader Among Two Escapees from Borås Detention Center

Gang Leader Among Two Escapees from Borås Detention Center