After the recent ousting of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, thousands of Syrian refugees have begun returning to their homeland from Turkey, marking what many are calling both emotional and catalytic moments for those who fled years of violence. This surge of returnees follows the announcement by Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who reported significant daily numbers of Syrians crossing back over the border since December 6.
According to Yerlikaya, 7,621 Syrian nationals returned to their country within just five days of the regime's fall. The figures revealed the extent of the movement, with 310 returning on December 6, 176 on December 7, and increasing dramatically to 1,259 by December 9, consistently remaining above 1,000 thereafter. This strong influx highlights the growing sentiment among many refugees to revisit their home country as conditions appear to shift.
The returning refugees are expressing deep gratitude to Turkey for its hospitality through thick and thin. Omer Halibo, 45, shared his thoughts: "The Turkish people took us under their wings," he remarked after arriving at the Öncüpınar Customs Gate. Reflecting on his life in Turkey, he said, "I worked in the shoe industry in Türkiye and will continue the same work in my homeland" as he eagerly anticipates reuniting with his family and homeland.
Younger refugees like 12-year-old Luceyn Bekkur also expressed their excitement about returning to Syria. "We fled the civil war when I was 3 and came to Türkiye. I made wonderful friends here and had great days. I was very happy staying in Türkiye," she shared with high hopes for what awaited her back home.
Luceyn’s friend, Sidra Bekkur, 14, noted how she would miss her Turkish friends, recalling, "My friends didn't want me to leave. But since the war is over, we wanted to return to our homeland. After all, it's our country. I am deeply grateful to Türkiye for opening its heart to us. I will miss it dearly." Sidra had spent over ten years adjusting to life in Turkey, forming bonds she thought would last.
Younger siblings like eight-year-old Rayan Assani and her 17-year-old sister, Merve, were captured at the border, both brimming with mixed feelings of hope and uncertainty. Having fled to Istanbul from Syria’s protracted conflict, the Assani family rejoiced as they prepared for their move back, with parents urging them with tales of the home they had left behind. "Our dad told us the war was over and we were going back to Aleppo. That’s all," Merve said, teeming with excitement yet also mindful of what they would leave behind.
The backdrop to this wave of returnees is staggering; roughly 4 million Syrians sought refuge across Turkish borders during the civil war, accounts showing Turkey now being home to the world’s largest Syrian refugee population. Make no mistake, the emotional restoration of these refugees does not detract from the deeply ingrained scars of war—a tragedy not easily forgotten.
Among various families preparing to return, memories of their times spent establishing lives abroad were palpable. A father was seen fastening his infant son with chocolate-covered cheeks to his chest, proudly showcasing the Turkish flag, saying it was to thank the nation for their care. Meanwhile, families like the Hamids prepared their children for the return, with excitement mixed with the tender heartache of departure—little Wael expressing solemnly, "My friends" stood out as what he would miss the most.
The desperate hope to improve living conditions can be recognized clearly. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Najib Mikati has echoed similar sentiments calling for the return of Syrian refugees. He noted, "The strain on our resources has been substantial, worsening existing economic trouble." Mikati underlined the necessity of returning to Syria to ease pressures on Lebanon.
Countries across Europe are observing responses to the refugee population as well. Countries such as Denmark and Germany have held back on processing asylum applications, citing fears over the current conditions within Syria. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser asserted the importance of ensuring safe returns and protecting minorities before contemplating repatriation more broadly.
While Europe debates the safety and viability of returning refugees, those who cross the Turkish border back to Syria share stories verging on optimism and reminiscence. The sentiment is overwhelmingly hopeful yet underscored with caution—these returning citizens are yearning for normalcy after suffering through years of war. The sense of unity is strong as they carry with them not just belongings but hopes for future reconstruction and peace.
The new leadership, possibly shaping the future of Syria, must navigate the remnants of decades-long chaos. Analysts remain skeptical, noting the gravity of maintaining laws and order amid rebuilding strategies. European officials anticipate observing the future progress of Syria closely; European Commission representatives indicate it is too soon to contemplate lifting sanctions until conditions improve significantly, emphasizing the priority for safety and stability.
For those returning, the story is one of resilience. They exhibit enormous courage, leaving behind the comfort and familiarity of life abroad to embrace the uncertain embrace of their homeland. The Syrian national dream seems eager to re-emerge for these families; they do so with hope carved from the ashes of despair. Each story, like Halibo’s, Luceyn’s, or the Assani sisters, echoes the collective pulse of returning home—the bittersweet yet commendable effort of beginning anew.
