Thousands return to Syria after fall of Assad regime

Syrians in Lebanon gather on vehicles as they head towards the Al-Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, after sixty-one years of Baath Party rule in Syria collapses on Sunday when, the capital Damascus fell out of the hands of regime control on December 8, 2024 [Murat Şengül/Anadolu Agency]

Thousands of Syrian refugees have begun returning to their homeland from neighbouring countries following the fall of ousted President Bashar Al-Assad’s regime.

The majority of those returning have been from Turkiye and Lebanon, while several European nations have started suspending asylum applications from Syrians fleeing Assad’s rule.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said yesterday that Ankara is committed to facilitating the voluntary and safe return of the Syrian refugees it hosts and to contributing to Syria’s reconstruction.

On Sunday, Turkiye clarified that it neither supported nor participated in the recent opposition-led attacks against Assad’s forces, despite backing Syrian opposition factions for years. Ankara emphasised that the new Syrian authorities should be inclusive and allow Syrians to decide their future.

Fidan said Turkiye is ready to assist in rebuilding Syria and is coordinating with all “relevant actors and regional parties.”

Refugees are now coming from across the country, including Istanbul, Bursa, and Kayseri, to prepare for their journey back to Syria.

In Lebanon, hundreds of Syrians gathered along roads and in areas leading to the Masnaa Border Crossing, preparing to return home. According to Al-Akhbar newspaper, a Lebanese security source estimated that over 5,000 Syrians crossed into Syria through legal and illegal border points in the Bekaa region.

The influx of returnees caused heavy congestion at the Masnaa crossing, prompting Lebanese authorities to open the Zamrani (Arsal) and Matribah (Hermel) crossings and streamline exit procedures.

Meanwhile, Germany announced the suspension of asylum application reviews for Syrians due to “uncertainty surrounding the situation” in Syria following Assad’s removal. Germany hosts nearly one million Syrians — the largest number of any EU country.

Austria’s interim government also announced a halt to processing asylum applications from Syrians.

READ: Lebanese man returns to his hometown after 33 years in Syria regime prisons

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