In a significant development following the political upheaval in Syria, nearly 40,000 Syrians have returned home from Turkey since the ouster of the Bashar al-Assad government on December 8, 2024.
Turkish Trade Minister Omer Bolat shared this update during a visit to the Cilvegozu Border Gate in Hatay province, where he inspected the buffer zone.
Bolat revealed that 27,941 Syrians had crossed back into Syria through three border gates in Hatay province since December 9. Including other border crossings, the total number of returnees has reached close to 40,000.
This marks a notable shift as Syrian refugees in Turkey begin to assess the prospects of returning to their homeland amid changing political conditions.
To facilitate the return process, the Turkish Interior Ministry has introduced a system allowing Syrian refugees to visit their home regions temporarily, up to three times within a six-month period.
Bolat expressed optimism that this initiative would encourage more refugees to make a permanent return to Syria.
Turkey, which shares a 900-kilometre border with Syria, has been home to millions of Syrian refugees over the past decade. The recent developments indicate a shift in the dynamic as Syria undergoes a political transformation following the fall of the Assad administration.
Meanwhile, Syria’s new government has taken significant steps in consolidating its authority. The General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, in coordination with a Turkish delegation, has gained full control over multiple border crossings in the northern Aleppo province.
According to state-run SANA news agency, these crossings include Jarabulus, al-Rai, Bab al-Salama, and al-Hammam, which had previously been under the control of opposition groups backed by Turkey.
Mazen Aloush, the director of relations for the General Authority, confirmed that the crossings are now fully managed by the new Syrian government.
This transfer is a critical step in restoring sovereignty over border areas that had been fragmented during the prolonged Syrian civil war.
The transition of border control and the return of refugees come at a delicate time for Syria. The country is navigating the aftermath of a significant political transition that ended the Assad regime’s longstanding rule.
For many refugees, the decision to return hinges on the stability and security of their home regions.
Syria’s new administration faces a challenging task of rebuilding trust, infrastructure, and governance after years of conflict and displacement. The transfer of border crossings signals an effort to re-establish authority, while the return of refugees reflects the early stages of recovery in a nation long torn by war.
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