Syrian Refugees Prepare to Return from Turkey After Assad Overthrow

Saturday 14 December 2024 - 10:45

By: Dakir Madiha

Syrian Refugees Prepare to Return from Turkey After Assad Overthrow

Hundreds of displaced Syrian refugees gathered at the Turkish border on Wednesday to return home, following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime by rebel forces.

Since Turkey opened its doors to displaced Syrians seeking asylum, refugees have faced increasing violence, including the murder of 17-year-old Syrian worker Ahmet Handan El Naif in July.

Among those preparing to return is Mustafa, a man eager to return to Syria to escape racism and reunite with his family in Latakia. “We have no one here. We are going back to Latakia, where we have family,” Mustafa told Reuters. Optimistic about Syria’s new leadership under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), he said, “Now there’s a better Syria. God willing, we will have a better life there.”

HTS, the Islamist rebel group responsible for toppling Assad’s regime, has rapidly taken control of major cities, including Damascus, forcing Assad and his family to flee to Russia. The rebels freed thousands of detainees who had been “disappeared” and locked in prisons since 2011. Media reports revealed hidden torture chambers, where innocent prisoners were tortured and left for dead. Renowned activist Mazn al-Hamada was one of these prisoners, found dead inside the notorious Sednaya prison on the outskirts of Damascus.

Despite HTS’s historic ties to extremist Islamist groups like Al-Qaeda and Daesh (ISIS), the current leadership has pledged to build an inclusive government that respects all Syrians, regardless of religion. However, the international community remains cautious about these promises.

Experts warn that Syria’s fragile peace is under threat. While HTS consolidates its rule, external pressures—particularly from Israeli airstrikes, which reportedly number 480—pose significant challenges to the country’s stability. The future of Syria’s government and the possibility of lasting peace remain uncertain.