Turkish FM: millions of Syria refugees can now return home

Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, has stated that millions of Syrians displaced by the conflict in their country can now return home after opposition factions declared the overthrow of President Bashar Al-Assad.

Speaking at the Doha Forum in Qatar yesterday, Fidan said, “Millions of Syrians who were forced to leave their homes can now return to their land,” adding that “the time has come to unify and rebuild the country.”

He emphasised that the Syrian people will determine their country’s future and affirmed Turkiye’s strong commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

When asked about Assad’s whereabouts, Fidan responded: “I cannot comment on this matter, and we do not know his location. It is likely he is outside Syria.”

The minister urged all regional and international actors to act cautiously, warning that “the region must not be drawn into further instability.”

Fidan also stressed the need to preserve Syria’s state institutions and called on opposition forces to unify immediately. He noted that Turkiye, alongside neighbouring countries, will continue working with Syria’s new administration, using all available resources to contribute to the country’s reconstruction.

Turkiye is one of the largest refugee-hosting countries worldwide, with some 3.2 million registered Syrian refugees and thousands more who are unregistered.

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