More than 2 million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes since December, according to the UN refugee agency, which emphasized the urgent need for a political resolution to prevent renewed instability.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi announced on Thursday that over two million Syrians have returned home since December, amid signs of improved conditions in the war-torn country following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
“Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December—a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions,” Grandi posted on X, as he traveled from Lebanon to Syria to mark World Refugee Day.
Grandi stressed that the return movement is a clear indicator of progress and underscored the need for long-term political solutions. “This proves that we need political solutions—not another wave of instability and displacement,” he said.
The return of refugees follows years of devastating conflict that forced millions to flee Syria. The prolonged crisis led to severe humanitarian consequences and massive displacement both within Syria and across neighboring countries such as Türkiye, Lebanon, and Jordan.
The current wave of returns comes after the fall of the Assad regime in December, when the former president fled to Russia. Assad's departure marked the end of the Baath Party’s nearly six-decade rule. In the aftermath, Ahmad al-Sharaa—leader of the anti-regime forces—was appointed president for a transitional period in January.
As peace and security slowly take hold in many parts of Syria, international organizations and regional actors are now focusing on rebuilding efforts and ensuring the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced populations.
Despite cautious optimism, the UN has reiterated the importance of international support for reconstruction and reconciliation, while calling on all parties to uphold commitments to human rights and stability.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling t...
Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined high school students protesting outside a school in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis on Tuesday, as a wave of...
The feature film “44”, set against the backdrop of Azerbaijan’s 44-day war in 2020, premiered...
One person was killed and nearly a dozen hurt in a fresh attack on Riyadh's international airport on Sunday, Saudi authorities reported, a day after a strike claimed by Yemen's Houthis killed 13 people and wounded more than 300.
Yemen's Houthis renewed warning to airlines, airport workers, and travellers against using Saudi airports, saying the warning should be taken seriously and that the kingdom “bore responsibility for failed interceptions”, a day after an attack on Riyadh's international airport that killed 12 people.
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said late Monday that it intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group toward Khamis Mushait in southwestern Saudi Arabia.
The Houthi movement has escalated their attacks on Saudi Arabia, targeting the airport in Riyadh and other cities, killing more than a dozen people.
The Kremlin on Monday rejected a 60-day ceasefire idea proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to allow his country to hold presidential elections, saying it wanted an overall peace deal instead.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia hit at least six energy targets in deadly strikes across Ukraine, showing Moscow is unwilling to accept the energy ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg joined high school students protesting outside a school in the Paris suburb of Saint-Denis on Tuesday, as a wave of student demonstrations continues across France.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has visited a newly opened defence museum displaying weapons developed under his leadership, including an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the United States.
Southeast Asian foreign ministers are set to discuss measures to tackle transboundary haze during preparatory meetings ahead of the ASEAN summit in November, as forest and land fires in Indonesia continue to affect air quality across the region, the Philippines said on Tuesday.
Britain's Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the United Kingdom believes Iran was likely behind an alleged plot connected to RAF Fairford, a military airbase in Gloucestershire in England that has played a role in U.S. operations against Iran, escalating tensions between London and Tehran.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment