A Rush to Home: Syrian Refugees Returning to Syria in Droves
Syrian refugees in Turkey head back across border to celebrate Eid at home in their native land
In the wake of the falling of the Bashar al-Assad regime, thousands of Syrian refugees residing in Turkey have made a beeline for the borders, eager to celebrate Eid al-Adha for the first time in their war-torn homeland since 2011.
Newspapers and social media have been buzzing with images of lengthy lines of refugees at the border gates mere days before the four-day holiday commenced on June 6th.
Among the returnees, some spoke of their intention to come back to Turkey post-holiday, while others announced a permanent homecoming.
Turkey, as the host of the world's largest Syrian refugee population, has allowed Syrian refugees to travel to Syria up to three times before making a permanent decision following the regime's collapse.
"Syria is slowly regaining its footing. I hope all refugees will return one day, because we all have a role to play. Together, we will build a brighter future, God willing," said Huseyin Salih, a resident of Istanbul for the past 14 years, while waiting in line at the Öncüpınar Border Gate.
Likewise, another refugee from Istanbul, Mahmud Kila, who has spent a decade in Turkey, stated, "I had unforgettable moments here. I'm eternally grateful to Turkey. But now, I am returning to Aleppo permanently."
Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Turkey has harbored approximately 2.7 million registered Syrian refugees, according to figures from the Turkish Interior Ministry, as of late May. Since December 2024, when the Assad regime fell, 250,064 Syrians have voluntarily returned to Syria as of May 29th.
Expectations are high that more refugees will choose to permanently return to Syria after the academic year ends on June 20th.
Syria's President Ahmad al-Sharaa marked the celebration by exchanging Eid greetings with citizens and officials at a reception in the capital, Damascus.
Thousands gathered at the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus for Eid prayers, with the faithful offering prayers for peace and stability in Syria.
According to recent data[5], nearly 250,000 Syrian refugees have returned to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. The reasons behind this trend are varied and complex. Some refugees believe political changes have made Syria safer, although concerns remain about the long-term political stability in the region[2].
However, challenges persist, as large-scale voluntary repatriation continues to face uncertainty due to ongoing political instability and the need for extensive reconstruction in Syria[2]. In addition, concerns about the potential safety of returning refugees and continued political developments in the region could affect the prospects for more refugees to return.
In the meantime, Turkey's focus on repatriation is being balanced by a commitment to protecting the legal rights and promoting the integration of refugees choosing to remain[2]. This strategy is crucial in ensuring a stable future for both host and refugee communities.
In the midst of the political changes in Syria, discussions surrounding the safety and stability of the region have been prevalent in general-news spaces, with some Syrian refugees citing improved political conditions as a reason for their return. The ongoing repatriation of Syrian refugees back to Syria, a trend that started post-December 2024, has sparked debates about the long-term political stability in the region, a key subject in the realm of politics.
