Over 25,000 Syrian Refugees Return Home After Assad’s Regime Falls

More than 25,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their home country from Turkey after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, as reported by Agence France-Presse on December 24.

Turkey has hosted nearly 3 million Syrians since the outbreak of the war in Syria in 2011. Minister Yerlikaya confirmed that over the last 15 days, more than 25,000 individuals have returned to Syria.

Ankara has been in close contact with Syria’s new leadership, focusing on facilitating the voluntary return of refugees. Yerlikaya expressed hope that the regime change in Damascus would allow more Syrians to safely return home. He also announced the creation of migration departments in Turkish embassies and consulates in Damascus and Aleppo, which will keep track of the returning Syrians.

Turkey has reopened its embassy in Damascus nearly a week after Assad’s regime was overthrown, marking a significant diplomatic shift after the embassy was closed at the start of the war in Syria 12 years ago.

Starting January 1, 2025, each family will be allowed to make up to three trips between Syria and Turkey, with a program developed under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s guidance. Those returning will be allowed to bring their belongings and vehicles back with them.

Earlier, two African nations—Sudan and Libya—took steps to limit Russian military presence, complicating Moscow’s efforts to maintain influence on the continent after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria. Sudan rejected a Russian offer to establish a naval base in Port Sudan, citing concerns over potential Western retaliation.

The regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria collapsed after rebel forces captured Damascus. The rebels, backed by various opposition groups, succeeded in overthrowing Assad’s government, marking the end of his authoritarian rule. Faced with mounting pressure, Assad fled the country and sought refuge in Russia, where he was granted asylum.