Türkiye eyes stronger trade ties with Damascus as nearly 40,000 Syrians return home
Türkiye's Trade Minister Omer Bolat arrived at Cilvegozu Border Gate in Hatay's Reyhanli district and inspected the buffer zone. (AA Photo)
Türkiye’s Trade Minister Omer Bolat announced that approximately 40,000 Syrians have returned to their homeland through Türkiye’s border crossings, emphasizing ongoing efforts to improve trade and transit operations with Syria.
Speaking at the Cilvegozu Border Gate in Hatay’s Reyhanli district, Bolat shared updates following inspections of the border facilities and interactions with humanitarian organizations operating in the area.
Increased border returns and future cooperation plans with Syria
Minister Bolat revealed that as of the latest figures, 27,941 Syrians have returned via Hatay’s three border gates, with the total number of returns nearing 40,000 when including other border crossings.
“Following the December 8 developments in Syria, a new era has begun. We aim to make this critical international transit route between Türkiye and the Middle East more efficient and functional through close cooperation with the new Syrian administration,” Bolat stated.
From Hatay’s three border gates, 27,941 people have made definitive returns. When including other border gates, according to our Minister of Interior, the total number of returns approaches 40,000. Naturally, people want to see the conditions there first. Some have children attending schools in Türkiye.
In the coming weeks and months, returns will accelerate. Our Ministry of Interior has introduced a new regulation allowing temporary visits up to three times within six months to assess and prepare conditions on-site.
This will help facilitate and accelerate the return process as conditions improve.
Omer Bolat, Türkiye’s Minister of Trade
Infrastructure and personnel enhancements
The minister highlighted recent improvements, including additional personnel and upgraded infrastructure at key border crossings. Yayladagi Border Gate, currently open for passenger traffic, is expected to accommodate commercial transit in the near future.
“Cilvegozu remains our most significant gateway to Syria and the Middle East. Modernization efforts and expanded facilities here are crucial for strengthening transit operations,” Bolat added.
Türkiye’s support for returning Syrians
Addressing the needs of returning Syrians, Bolat confirmed new measures aimed at facilitating their transition. A recently issued ministry directive allows Syrians to bring household items, vehicles, and valuables across the border without complications.
Interior Ministry regulations now also permit temporary visits of up to three times within six months, enabling Syrians to assess conditions in their homeland before making permanent decisions.
As Türkiye, a new era is beginning in our relations with Syria, with which we share a 910-kilometer border and have deep historical, cultural, social, and economic ties. Within this 910-kilometer border, we currently have eight operational customs gates, three of which are located in the province of Hatay. Hatay, and specifically Cilvegozu where we stand now, has been one of Türkiye’s most significant gateways to Syria, the Middle East, and the Gulf.
In this new period, we aim to work closely with Syria’s new administration to make these crossings between Türkiye and Syria, as well as this critical international highway route to the Middle East, much more functional and efficient.
The acceleration of returns also brings new needs. Improvement works for passenger crossings will be expedited here. Similarly, significant enhancements will be carried out at the Yayladagi and Zeytindali border gates. The necessary budgets are being allocated to these areas, and with close cooperation, all kinds of modernization and improvement efforts will be implemented at the crossing points between Türkiye and Syria.
With this directive, we have eased the return process for Syrian refugees residing in Türkiye by allowing them to take their household belongings, vehicles, jewelry, and cash across the border. As you can see here, they can now comfortably return to their country with their household items and cars.
Omer Bolat, Türkiye’s Minister of Trade
Future outlook on trade and reconstruction of Syria
Looking ahead, Bolat emphasized Türkiye’s strategic plans to improve trade routes, encourage investment, and participate in Syria’s reconstruction.
“Trade, customs regimes, investment opportunities, and reconstruction services will remain at the top of our agenda,” Bolat said.
In a social media post Bolat posted on X, he said, “Today, we came to Hatay province early in the morning with our Deputy Ministers and relevant colleagues. We are visiting our Customs Gates opening to Syria together with our Hatay Governor and Hatay Members of Parliament, observing the situation in the field and examining additional needs on site.”
We started our visit from our Cilvegozu Customs Gate. Throughout the day, we also visited our Zeytindali and Yayladagi gates, and in order to prepare these gates for all the requirements of the new period in Syria, we coordinate the preparations on site, both technically and in terms of personnel, in addition to the over 100 personnel we previously sent.
Hatay is one of the most important centers of our trade with Syria and humanitarian crossings. In line with the increasing crossings after the end of the war in Syria, in addition to the facilitating measures in the circular we issued on December 19, we will also evaluate additional measures that can be taken to facilitate the passage and return of Syrian citizens to their country.
As the Ministry of Trade, we continue our efforts to make our customs gates more effective, faster and safer.
Türkiye’s Minister of Trade, Omer Bolat’s statement on X
