ANKARA, (TDI): More than 25,000 Syrians have returned from Turkey to their homeland following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad by “Hayat Tahrir al-Sham” (HTS), Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday.
Turkey, which hosts nearly three million refugees who fled Syria’s civil war in 2011, has seen growing domestic pressure over their presence. Now Syrians returning home with ease.
Syrian Refugees Begin Returning Home
The shift in leadership in Damascus has prompted Ankara to focus on facilitating the voluntary return of Syrian refugees.
“The number of people returning to Syria in the last 15 days has exceeded 25,000,” Yerlikaya told Turkey’s official Anadolu news agency.
Renewed Ties with Syria
Turkey has reestablished contact with Syria’s new leadership, signaling a shift in relations.
Also Read: Syria Transition May Fail Without Support: UN Agency
Ankara reopened its embassy in Damascus, 12 years after closing it at the onset of Syria’s civil war and just days after Assad was ousted by forces supported by Turkey.
Yerlikaya also announced plans to set up a migration office at Turkey’s embassy and consulate in Damascus and Aleppo. These offices will oversee and maintain records of returning Syrian refugees.
Also Read: Bashar Al-Assad Says He Wanted to Fight, Not Flee Syria
The Turkish government hopes that the new political climate in Syria will enable more refugees to safely return home, easing the burden on Turkey and addressing public concerns.
