Battered by years of bombing and shelling, Deir al-Zour remains a frontline, even as its people struggle to rebuild. The devastation of the city has prevented its residents from returning, while unexploded ordnance remains an immense challenge for peoples' security. Deir al-Zour is now divided by the Euphrates River between the Kurdish dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Damascus government's forces, presenting challenges to its residents who wish to trade and work on both sides. For the city's people, there is no choice but to rebuild with our without the central government.