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.
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Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in targeted strikes on the country.
Tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have surged after the Taliban government accused Islamabad of carrying out an attack that killed more than 400 people, an allegation Pakistan denies. Here is how the two sides compare in military strength, from troop numbers to nuclear capability.
A survivor of the air strike on a Kabul drug rehabilitation centre described scenes of devastation, saying patients were engulfed in flames moments after explosions tore through the facility late Monday (16 March).
The real power of the Strait of Hormuz lies not in closing it, but in the threat of closure.
The other evening, I was fuelling my car at a petrol station in Kenya’s capital. It was one of those small moments most motorists barely notice. The attendant filled the tank, I glanced at the pump price, paid, and drove off.
President Trump called on countries to assist in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while Starmer said the UK is working with allies to restore navigation and stabilise oil markets. It comes as a strike near Iraq’s western border killed several Hashed al-Shaabi fighters, raising regional tensions.
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials launched a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday (15 March) to resolve issues in their trade truce. The discussions aim to smooth the way for U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz has said that Iran's security chief Ali Larijani was killed in targeted strikes on the country.
Kazakhstan has adopted a new constitution that could allow President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to stay in power beyond 2029. The Central Election Commission confirmed that 87.15% of voters backed the constitution in a referendum held on Sunday (17 March).
Chile’s newly inaugurated president, José Antonio Kast, has taken his first major step on immigration, launching plans for a fortified barrier along the country’s northern border just days after entering office.
A Russian drone attack damaged industrial, port, and energy infrastructure in Ukraine's southern Odesa region overnight. The strikes disrupted power supplies in several settlements, prompting local authorities to switch critical facilities to backup power generators.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 17 March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Kouri Richins, a U.S. woman who penned a children’s book about bereavement after the death of her husband has been found guilty of killing him.
Senior officials from the United States and China met in Paris this week for a new round of trade talks, as the world’s two largest economies attempt to manage their economic rivalry and avoid further tensions.
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