The United Nations reports that over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria since President Assad’s ouster. Turkish President Erdogan stated that 133,000 Syrian refugees returned from Turkey. The civil war has caused significant loss of life and displacement, leading to Syria being labeled as “the world’s largest displacement crisis.”
The United Nations reported that over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Celine Schmitt of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) communicated this significant milestone during a briefing in Geneva via video link from Damascus.
This announcement coincides with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement that more than 133,000 Syrians have returned from Turkey, where nearly three million refugees have sought refuge since the onset of Syria’s civil war in 2011.
Assad was removed in December during a rebel offensive, ending decades of his family’s rule and marking a severe escalation in the ongoing civil conflict. The war has led to the deaths of over half a million individuals and has displaced millions.
Schmitt emphasized that Syria represents “the world’s largest displacement crisis,” noting that many of those who fled are eager to return home. Alongside the 300,000 refugees, approximately 900,000 internally displaced persons have also returned to their hometowns, totaling around 1.2 million returnees since early December.
Additionally, a recent UNHCR survey revealed that one million internally displaced people residing in camps across northwestern Syria plan to return home within the next year.
The significant return of refugees to Syria highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis stemming from the civil war and the political changes following President Assad’s ouster. As over 300,000 refugees have returned, along with many internally displaced individuals, efforts to address the needs and safety of these populations remain critical amid the ongoing challenges in Syria.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
