The United Nations refugee chief announced on Saturday that approximately 200,000 refugees have made their way back to Syria from neighboring nations following the recent overthrow of Bashar Assad’s government. This surge in returnees comes in the wake of around 300,000 refugees who returned from Lebanon during the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict last year. Many individuals who had fled during the prolonged conflict that evolved from a 14-year uprising are contemplating a return to their homeland in the near future.
During a visit to Damascus, where he met with the new de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi expressed caution about the sustainability of these returns. He emphasized that an improvement in living conditions within Syria is crucial for returnees to remain in the country. Grandi stated, “For a successful return and to enhance life for all Syrians, it’s essential to rejuvenate the economy, restore services, ensure security, and initiate a significant housing reconstruction program.”
Grandi further urged for the removal of Western sanctions that previously targeted Assad’s regime, which have persisted since the government’s fall on December 8 due to a rapid rebel offensive. He noted that these sanctions pose significant challenges for returning refugees, highlighting that they are a key barrier to their repatriation.
Currently, there are over 4.7 million refugees documented by the U.N. refugee agency, known as UNHCR, in nearby nations. Turkey hosts the largest number, nearly 2.9 million, followed by Lebanon with over 755,000 refugees. In addition to those returning from abroad, Grandi mentioned that about 600,000 out of an estimated 7 million internally displaced Syrians have also returned home.
These returns may spark controversy, particularly in the northeastern regions of Syria, where Kurdish authorities are set to release certain detainees from the vast al Hol camp, which shelters families of suspected Islamic State members. While there are worries that some individuals may still hold to IS’s extremist beliefs, Grandi remarked that providing long-displaced Syrians an opportunity to return to their homes elsewhere in the country is a positive development. He stated, “If those who have been displaced for an extended period can return to their communities, that should be seen as a welcome change.”
