United Nations Reports on Syrian Refugees’ Return
This week, the United Nations released an estimate indicating that about 500,000 refugees have returned to Syria since the regime of dictator Bashar Assad began to falter. Additionally, they anticipate that another million will make the trip back by the end of this year.
Throughout the devastating civil war that started in 2011, over 6 million people fled Syria, creating what is now one of the largest refugee crises in the world.
Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, who heads the UN refugee mission in Syria, expressed a “strong” sense of optimism regarding the country’s “historical” political changes. He mentioned that the number of habitable homes for refugees is on the rise.
Vargas Llosa referenced a recent survey conducted by the United Nations High Commission, which revealed that 80% of Syrians living abroad are considering a return. However, he also pointed out substantial hurdles that still exist, primarily due to damage from the civil war that remains unresolved.
It’s interesting to note that Vargas Llosa appreciated President Trump’s decision to lift sanctions in Syria, believing it would help speed up reconstruction efforts.
Relief from sanctions has also been strongly advocated by Turkey, which hosts the largest population of Syrian refugees. The Turkish government has been quite vocal in encouraging Syrians to return home after Assad’s regime has weakened. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was notably among the first world leaders to engage positively with the Assad government in Damascus.
Edem Wosolun, the Director of Operations and Advocacy at the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Cooperation, mentioned that many refugees are looking for “stability and access to basic services like water, sanitation, and health care,” along with job opportunities and social cohesion before deciding to return.
Wosolun commended President Trump for his actions regarding sanctions and expressed hope that more member states and international financial institutions would support the reconstruction in Syria, making conditions favorable for displaced Syrians to return.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) released a report noting that while Syrians are “resilient and innovative,” they need substantial help rebuilding their lives and communities.
The IOM identified barriers such as “citizen document gaps” and “unresolved property issues” as significant obstacles for those wanting to return. They also reiterated earlier concerns about damaged infrastructure and lack of job opportunities.
According to the IOM, approximately 1.87 million Syrians have returned to their homes since Assad’s decline; most returnees come from neighboring countries including Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun remarked recently on the need for safe and dignified returns of Syrian refugees from Lebanon. He emphasized that Lebanon is keen to build a positive relationship with Syria and wants to coordinate common goals.
Aoun reaffirmed Lebanon’s support for all initiatives aimed at maintaining Syria’s unity and sovereignty, as well as fulfilling the aspirations of its people.
Recent notes from the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) highlighted concerns about ongoing threats, such as terrorism from groups like ISIS, as well as potential power struggles in Syria that may complicate the return process for many Syrians.
As observed by the CFR, it’s still uncertain what the political landscape in Syria will look like following Assad’s regime. Tensions persist between Assad’s loyalists and the new Syrian government under the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), making the country’s stability quite precarious, with clarity about the situation on the ground still elusive.
