UN Reports Over 300,000 Refugees Have Returned to Syria Since Assad’s Ouster

The UN reports over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria following President Assad’s ouster. Turkish President Erdogan noted that 133,000 Syrians returned from Turkey. The Syrian civil war has led to over half a million deaths and massive displacements, with ongoing challenges in stabilizing the country.

The United Nations announced that over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad. Celine Schmitt from the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, stated during a press conference that the figure surpassed 300,000 since December 8. This return has been encouraged by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who noted that more than 133,000 Syrians residing in Turkey have returned since Assad’s removal.

Turkey currently hosts nearly three million Syrian refugees who fled the civil war that erupted in 2011. The ousting of Assad took place in early December, following a significant rebel offensive that ended his family’s prolonged rule, coinciding with the onset of the civil war characterized by harsh crackdowns on anti-government protests. This prolonged conflict has resulted in over half a million fatalities and displaced millions of individuals from their homes.

According to Schmitt, Syria represents “the world’s largest displacement crisis,” with many individuals eager to return to their homeland. Besides the returning refugees, an additional 900,000 internally displaced individuals within Syria have returned to their residences, culminating in 1.2 million total returns since early December. Furthermore, a UNHCR survey revealed that approximately one million internally displaced persons in northwestern Syria are expected to return home within the next year.

In summary, over 300,000 refugees have returned to Syria since President Assad’s ouster, as reported by the UN. The ongoing crisis continues to be significant, with a total of 1.2 million individuals having returned since early December, including both refugees and internally displaced persons. The situation highlights the pressing nature of the displacement crisis in Syria, with many still wishing to return to their homes in the near future.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com