Over 35,000 refugees back to Syria from Türkiye, ministry says

A significant development in the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis has emerged, with more than 35,000 refugees returning to Syria from Türkiye in just three weeks following a change in leadership in Syria. 

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that between December 8 and December 29, a total of 35,114 Syrian refugees made their way back to their homeland, with an average of 1,700 people returning daily, primarily to Aleppo, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Speaking on NTV, Yerlikaya highlighted the significant role of this repatriation effort, adding that Türkiye's embassy in Damascus is planning to open a dedicated office for refugee affairs to manage the growing return.

Syria's ongoing political and military shifts have played a crucial role in this change. Following a large-scale offensive launched by opposition groups at the end of November, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was forced to step down and leave the country on December 8. In his place, Mohammed al-Bashir, who led the so-called Salvation Government in Idlib, announced his appointment as head of Syria's transitional government. This transition period is expected to last until March 1, 2025, and has spurred some refugees to return.

Türkiye currently hosts around 2.9 million Syrian refugees, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had previously expressed plans to facilitate the return of up to 1 million refugees who fled Syria since 2011. With the new developments in Syria, the repatriation process is gaining momentum, signalling a potential shift in the region’s dynamics.

By Khagan Isayev