Over 300,000 Refugees Have Returned to Syria Since Assad’s Ouster

The UN reports over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria since President Assad’s removal, with significant repatriation efforts led by Turkey. The Syrian conflict, resulting in mass displacement and casualties, continues to be the world’s largest displacement crisis, although many individuals now wish to return home.

According to the United Nations, more than 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Celine Schmitt from the UN refugee agency UNHCR reported that this milestone was reached as of December 8, 2022, during a video conference from Damascus.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan noted that over 133,000 Syrians residing in Turkey have returned home since the change in leadership. Turkey, which hosts approximately three million Syrian refugees, is actively encouraging their repatriation after the civil war that began in 2011.

The ousting of Assad occurred in early December as a result of a rebel offensive, which ended his family’s long-standing rule. This civil war has resulted in over half a million deaths and displaced millions of individuals, leading to what is deemed “the world’s largest displacement crisis.”

Schmitt emphasized that many individuals who fled the violence in Syria express a strong desire to return. Alongside the returning refugees, approximately 900,000 internally displaced persons have returned to their original home areas, totaling 1.2 million repatriations since the start of December. Furthermore, UNHCR conducted a survey revealing that around one million internally displaced people in Northwestern Syria hope to return home within the next year.

In summary, the return of over 300,000 refugees to Syria marks a significant milestone since the ousting of President Assad, amid efforts by Turkey to facilitate repatriation. Despite the ongoing challenges, many displaced Syrians express a desire to return home, highlighting the enduring impact of the civil war on the country’s population.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com