The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has raised a call to action as approximately 200,000 Syrian refugees have made the journey back to their homeland. This development follows the overthrow of the regime led by Bashar Assad, marking a pivotal moment in Syria's long-standing conflict. The recent returns are part of a larger trend witnessed last year when around 300,000 refugees decided to return from Lebanon, amidst the chaos of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
While this significant repatriation signals a new chapter for Syria, UNHCR Chief Filippo Grandi emphasized the critical need for improved living conditions to support this transition. In a recent visit to Damascus, Grandi met with Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria's newly established leader, stressing that for these returns to be sustainable, a multipronged approach is necessary.
In order to make this return sustainable and to make life better for all Syrians, the economy needs to recover, services need re-establishment, security assurances, and a substantial housing reconstruction program is vital, Grandi articulated.
One of the significant barriers highlighted by Grandi is the Western-imposed sanctions, primarily targeting Assad's ex-government. Despite the regime's fall on December 8, these sanctions remain in effect and pose a considerable threat to stabilizing the fragile economy.
The Syrian refugee crisis remains a massive international concern with over 4.7 million Syrians registered as refugees in neighboring countries. The majority, nearly 2.9 million, find themselves in Turkey, followed by Lebanon, hosting over 755,000 refugees.
Aside from the returning refugees, there has been a noticeable movement of internally displaced individuals. Reports indicate that about 600,000 of the estimated 7 million displaced Syrians have found their way back home. However, these returns are not without controversy, particularly in the Kurdish-controlled northeast. Here, authorities are contemplating the release of Syrian detainees in the al-Hol camp, known for housing families of alleged Islamic State affiliates.
While concerns linger around the ideological beliefs of some returnees affiliated with extremist factions, Grandi remains optimistic. If Syrians displaced for so long in the northeast have an opportunity to go back to their homes in other parts of the country, this is welcome, he stated.
The unfolding developments in Syria present both opportunities and challenges for international diplomacy and aid efforts. The global community now stands at a crossroads in striking a balance between lifting sanctions and facilitating necessary help to ensure that returning refugees can thrive and rebuild their lives.
