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Surge in Syrian returns after fall of Assad regime

A Syrian man living in Türkiye pushes a cart loaded with his belongings to enter Syria at the Cilvegozu border crossing gate in Reyhanli, Türkiye, Dec. 12, 2024. (AFP Photo) A Syrian man living in Türkiye pushes a cart loaded with his belongings to enter Syria at the Cilvegozu border crossing gate in Reyhanli, Türkiye, Dec. 12, 2024. (AFP Photo)
By Newsroom
Dec 15, 2024 9:29 AM

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared statistics highlighting a significant rise in Syrian returns following the fall of the Assad regime.

Using his social media account and during budget discussions in the Turkish Parliament, Yerlikaya revealed the figures for Syrians returning voluntarily to their home country both before and after Syria‘s liberation.

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Syrian returns before the fall of the Assad regime

According to Yerlikaya, 726 Syrians returned to their country before Dec. 8, 2024, when the Assad regime collapsed.

  • 310 Syrians on Dec. 6, 2024
  • 176 Syrians on Dec. 7, 2024
  • 240 Syrians on Dec. 8, 2024

These returns were conducted “voluntarily, safely, honorably and regularly,” as stated by Yerlikaya.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya’s statement on X
Surge in Syrian returns after fall of Assad regime
Syrians waving flags gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of the 61-year Baath regime, in Damascus, Syria on December 11, 2024. (AA Photo)
Surge in Syrian returns after fall of Assad regime
People celebrate holding a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 9, 2024. – Syrians flocked to the main square of the capital city Damascus on December 9 to mark what many regard as a long-awaited new dawn after the fall of president Bashar al-Assad. Assad fled to Russia the day before after a lightning offensive spearheaded by Islamist rebels ousted him from power, opening a new chapter in Syria’s history after five decades of rule by his clan. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP)
Surge in Syrian returns after fall of Assad regime
Syrians waving flags gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of the 61-year Baath regime, in Damascus, Syria on December 11, 2024. (AA Photo)
fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad celebration
A man, with his face painted with the opposition flag, shouts slogans as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, Istanbul, Türkiye, December 8, 2024. (AFP Photo)

Spike in returns after Syria’s liberation

After the regime’s fall on Dec. 8, the number of Syrian returns surged noticeably. Yerlikaya reported that 7,621 Syrians returned between December 9 and December 13, with daily numbers as follows:

  • 1,259 Syrians on Dec. 9
  • 1,669 Syrians on Dec. 10
  • 1,293 Syrians on Dec. 11
  • 1,553 Syrians on Dec. 12
  • 1,847 Syrians on Dec. 13

The collapse of the Assad regime marked the end of the 61-year rule of the Baath party. Bashar al-Assad fled the country, seeking refuge in Russia. Following this political shift, Syrians who had sought asylum in Türkiye began returning to their homeland, creating significant activity at border crossings.

Surge in Syrian returns after fall of Assad regime
Syrian refugees who lives in Turkey arrive with their belongings at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering in Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9,2024. – Islamist-led rebels declared on December 8, 2024, that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
Surge in Syrian returns after fall of Assad regime
A Turkish soldier checks documents as Syrian refugees who lives in Turkey wait at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering in Syria at Reyhanli distict in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. – Islamist-led rebels declared on December 8, 2024, that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
Surge in Syrian returns after fall of Assad regime
Syrian refugees who lives in Turkey wait in a queue at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9,2024. – Islamist-led rebels declared on December 8, 2024, that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)
Surge in Syrian returns after fall of Assad regime
Syrian refugees wait in a queue at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering in Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. – Islamist-led rebels declared on December 8, 2024, that they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing and ending five decades of Baath rule in Syria. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)

Türkiye’s stance on migration management

Speaking at the TBMM, Yerlikaya reiterated Türkiye’s approach to migration management.

“We manage migration with an understanding that respects human rights and freedoms, is committed to our civilizational values, and does not compromise on public order and security, and we will continue to do so,” he stated.

Last Updated:  Dec 29, 2024 5:48 PM