UN Reports Surge in Syrian Refugees Wanting to Return Home Following Assad’s Fall

January 26, 2025

12:13 PM

Reading time: 4 minutes


Almost 30% of the millions of Syrian refugees residing in neighboring Middle Eastern countries have expressed a desire to return to Syria in the coming year, a significant shift from almost zero last year, according to the UN refugee agency. This change follows the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, marking the end of the 13-year civil war that created one of the largest refugee crises in modern history.

Filippo Grandi, the head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), shared this finding during a recent visit to Damascus in January, highlighting a dramatic shift in refugee sentiment. "We have seen the needle move, finally, after years of decline," Grandi told reporters after meeting with Syria's new administration.

The number of Syrian refugees wishing to return to their homeland had previously been close to zero, but now nearly 30% of refugees are considering returning. This represents a notable change in the last few weeks. Around 200,000 Syrian refugees have already returned since Assad’s fall, with an additional 300,000 having fled back from Lebanon following the Hezbollah-Israel War in September and October, many of whom have remained.

The process of returning Syria’s 6 million refugees, along with millions of internally displaced people, has become a central goal of the country's new administration. However, the war has left significant damage across the nation. Major cities are in ruins, basic services are near collapse, and the vast majority of the population continues to live in poverty. Syria is also still facing a harsh Western sanctions regime, which severely hampers its formal economy.

To assist returning Syrians, many of whom have sold their belongings to fund their journey home, UN agencies are providing some financial support for transportation, food, and home reconstruction. Despite these efforts, Grandi emphasized that more aid is necessary, and he called for reconsideration of sanctions that hinder Syria’s recovery.

"If sanctions are lifted, this will improve the conditions in the places where people return," Grandi said, suggesting that the refugee return process could accelerate if the international community provides additional support.

Syria’s new leader, Ahmed Sharaa, has committed to creating a more inclusive governing authority by March 1, 2025, a move that is likely contributing to the refugees' growing desire to return. Grandi noted that refugees are responding positively to the political changes and that further improvements could lead to even more people deciding to come back.

Refugees are closely watching the political process and the steps being taken by the new administration to ensure a more diverse and representative governing body. Grandi believes that if these reforms continue, many more refugees will likely return home.

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