100,000 Syrians returned to their country in one month

Mutual normalization steps between Ankara and Damascus have already begun to bear fruit. During the June-July period, 100,000 Syrians in Turkiye returned to their home country. In the past month alone, more than 100 families have resettled in Aleppo.

The Kesep customs gate, the only route to regime-held areas, has seen significant crowds, with hundreds more returning to cities under Assad’s control such as Damascus, Latakia, Homs, and Hama.

An average of 300 to 500 Syrians per day are estimated to be moving to regime-held areas. However, many of those returning have opted for regions controlled by Idlib and opposition forces.

Those returning to regime areas noted that conditions in Aleppo have improved compared to previous years, although the city still bears serious war scars, with ongoing issues with electricity and infrastructure.

Ahmed Sahel, who returned to Aleppo after living in Gaziantep for eight years, said, “I have returned to my home with my wife, five sons, and grandchildren. Here, we only reported our return and registered again. There was no investigation or mistreatment.”

Walid Gazi, of Turkmen origin, mentioned a slight revival in Aleppo, the Middle East’s production hub, saying “The biggest problem right now is electricity. However, China is building a large power plant, and the daily supply is expected to increase to eight hours soon. Those who return reclaim their shops, houses, and lands by applying to official institutions.”

On the other hand, Iranian-backed Shia militias, unhappy with the return process, have been issuing verbal, written, and visual threats to Syrians. The same groups have also recirculated numerous torture execution videos, mostly from the 2012-2015 period.

Additionally, some figures close to Assad have been targeted following the messages of thawing relations between Turkiye and Syria.