A Syrian man living in Türkiye pushes a cart loaded with his belongings to enter Syria at the Cilvegozu border crossing gate in Reyhanli on December 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.
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.
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.
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)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)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)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.