Türkiye pledges support for Syria’s reconstruction

Türkiye’s government has announced plans to assist Syria in its post-conflict reconstruction, with all ministries tasked to support the new Syrian administration.

The move was confirmed by Turkish officials, following a directive from President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during a recent cabinet meeting, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

Ali Yerlikaya, Türkiye’s Interior Minister, stated that the government would engage in various projects across Syria in coordination with the relevant ministries. This initiative includes setting up dedicated departments within Turkish diplomatic missions in Syria to facilitate dialogue with Syrian authorities and to help in the repatriation of refugees from Türkiye.

The Interior Ministry will also aid in Syria’s population registration process, security efforts, and the issuance of passports, once Syria’s Ministry of the Interior is re-established.

In the defence sector, Türkiye’s Ministry of Defence has pledged to provide training and support to Syria’s new administration, focusing on counter-terrorism operations.

Additionally, Türkiye’s Ministry of Transport will assist in the refurbishment of Syria’s infrastructure, including the repair of critical road networks such as the M4 and M5 motorways. 

Thus, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria brings hope to displaced Syrians and the international community, offering the prospect of return to a free Syria. However, many challenges persist. Host countries, such as Lebanon and Austria, are considering facilitating repatriation, citing resource strain, but Syria remains unstable, with significant damage and insufficient infrastructure to support returnees.

Housing shortages and limited livelihood opportunities, especially in key sectors, make permanent repatriation unlikely in the near future. Additionally, many Syrians have gained long-term residency or citizenship in host countries, complicating forced returns.

European governments must evaluate each individual’s circumstances to avoid violating rights, and family unity protections may also impede removals. In neighbouring countries like Türkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan, Syrians face even more precarious legal status, and forced returns have occurred before, which may increase post-Assad. The situation remains highly complex, balancing hopes of return with on-the-ground realities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev