The UN reports over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria since President Assad’s ousting, alongside another 900,000 internally displaced persons. This marks a significant trend of repatriation amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis, with many eager to return home after years of conflict.
The United Nations has reported that over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Celine Schmitt, representing the UN refugee agency UNHCR, disclosed this information during a press briefing in Geneva, where she participated via video link from Damascus. The announcement aligns with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement about over 133,000 Syrians returning from Turkey since Assad’s removal.
Approximately three million refugees reside in Turkey since the onset of Syria’s civil war in 2011, and the Turkish government expresses a strong desire for these individuals to return to their homeland. Assad was deposed in early December 2022 during a rebel offensive that marked an end to his family’s long-standing authoritarian rule, igniting a civil conflict exacerbated by the violent suppression of protests against his government.
The Syrian civil war has resulted in over half a million fatalities and the widespread displacement of millions. Schmitt labeled this crisis as “the world’s largest displacement crisis,” highlighting that many refugees are eager to return to their home regions. She reported that in addition to the refugees returning to Syria, 900,000 internally displaced individuals have also returned to their original areas, leading to an overall total of 1.2 million returns since early December.
In a UNHCR survey, it was revealed that approximately one million internally displaced individuals residing in camps in northwestern Syria plan to return home within the coming year, demonstrating a significant willingness among displaced populations to reintegrate into their communities.
The United Nations has noted a significant return of refugees to Syria, indicating that over 300,000 individuals have returned since the removal of President Assad, contributing to an overall figure of 1.2 million returns when internally displaced persons are considered. This indicates a strong desire among those affected by the Syrian conflict to return to their homes, despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis impacting the region.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
