The UN refugee agency expects 1 million Syrian refugees to return in early 2025 but urges nations not to force returns, citing ongoing humanitarian needs and uncertainty after rebels seized power.
A U.N. refugee agency official said on Tuesday that some 1 million Syrian refugees are expected to return to the country in the first six months of 2025, asking states to refrain from forcing them to do so.
A lightning rebel advance swept Syria's President Bashar al-Assad from power this month, shocking the world and raising the prospect that some of the millions of people who fled the country during its 13-year civil war might return.
"Now we have forecasted that we hope to see somewhere in the order of 1 million Syrians returning between January and June next year so we shared this plan with donors, asking for their support," said Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR Director for the Middle East and North Africa.
"We have massive humanitarian needs on a scale that hasn't in any way diminished," she added, noting that 1 million people have been internally displaced since the rebel advance began.
In the immediate aftermath of the rebels seizing power, thousands of people fled Syria, while thousands had also returned to the country mostly from Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, Imseis said.
She added that some of those fleeing could be linked to the former government or else be religious minorities with concerns about their standing under the new authorities, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group which once had ties to al-Qaeda.
Countries should be patient as Syrian refugees consider whether to return, she added. "It's important to maintain that protection for Syrians who have already found refuge in host countries, and that they are not forcibly returned to Syria," she said.
Asked about some countries' decisions to freeze asylum applications for Syrians, she said: "We have been very clear in the non returns advisory to all countries. It is just far too soon to make this determination on the safety and stability of Syria and there are many questions that are that need to be answered."
Tensions between Iran and Israel reached a critical point as both nations clashed at an emergency UN Security Council meeting, following a sweeping Israeli strike on Iranian targets that Tehran condemned as state terrorism and a deliberate attempt to sabotage nuclear diplomacy.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appeals for calm and diplomacy as Israel and Iran exchange deadly attacks, raising fears of broader regional conflict.
Azerbaijan has been officially announced as the host country for World Environment Day in 2026 during a UNEP event held on South Korea’s Jeju Island.
The United Nations Security Council is likely to vote on Wednesday, June 4, on a draft resolution calling for an immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, according to diplomats.
The United Nations is ordering over 60 offices and agencies to submit plans to cut 20% of their staff by mid-June as part of a wide reform effort to address a serious budget gap.
Switzerland is taking steps toward deeper defence cooperation with the European Union, launching talks on a non-binding arms partnership while maintaining its neutral stance.
U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on Wednesday that American strikes caused “very severe” damage to Iranian nuclear sites, despite leaked intelligence reports suggesting otherwise.
Masked law enforcement officers have detained Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the 'Sacred Struggle' movement in Armenia. He is accused of preparing terrorist attacks and an alleged attempt to seize power, according to the Investigative Committee.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Switzerland is taking steps toward deeper defence cooperation with the European Union, launching talks on a non-binding arms partnership while maintaining its neutral stance.
U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on Wednesday that American strikes caused “very severe” damage to Iranian nuclear sites, despite leaked intelligence reports suggesting otherwise.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 25th June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Switzerland is taking steps toward deeper defence cooperation with the European Union, launching talks on a non-binding arms partnership while maintaining its neutral stance.
U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on Wednesday that American strikes caused “very severe” damage to Iranian nuclear sites, despite leaked intelligence reports suggesting otherwise.
Masked law enforcement officers have detained Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the 'Sacred Struggle' movement in Armenia. He is accused of preparing terrorist attacks and an alleged attempt to seize power, according to the Investigative Committee.
The United States is not planning to impose additional sanctions on Russia for now, aiming instead to keep diplomatic channels open to pursue a peace deal, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Iran is now "much further away from a nuclear weapon" following recent U.S. airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear sites, contradicting reports that the damage only caused minor delays.
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