Syria: Thousands of displaced head home, but many refugees still wary
DAMASCUS, Feb 13 (Reuters) – Thousands of Syrians displaced by war have started to return home as the conflict abates in some areas, but many refugees remain wary about going back, fearing a resurgence of violence or persecution.
In recent months, government forces have retaken control of large swathes of territory from rebels and Islamic State, allowing some of the millions of people who fled their homes to return.
According to the United Nations, more than 6.6 million Syrians are internally displaced, while another 5.6 million have fled to neighboring countries.
In the southern province of Daraa, where government forces have made significant gains, hundreds of families have returned to their homes in recent weeks.
“We were displaced for five years, we lived in rented houses in Damascus,” said Abu Ahmed, a 45-year-old father of three who returned to his village of Tafas in Daraa last month.
“Now we are back home, we are happy, but we are also afraid,” he said. “We don’t know what the future holds.”
The Syrian government has encouraged displaced people to return home, and has offered financial assistance and other incentives to those who do.
However, many refugees are still hesitant to return, citing concerns about safety, the lack of basic services, and the possibility of being arrested or conscripted into the military.
“I don’t think it is safe to go back yet,” said Omar, a 25-year-old refugee who fled to Jordan in 2013. “I have heard stories of people being arrested and tortured when they returned.”
The United Nations has also warned that conditions in Syria are not yet conducive for a large-scale return of refugees.
“The vast majority of refugees are not yet able to return home safely and with dignity,” said Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
“They need assurances that their basic rights will be respected, that they will not be at risk of arbitrary arrest or detention, and that they will have access to essential services,” he said.
For now, the future of Syria’s displaced and refugee population remains uncertain. Many are hoping for a lasting peace that will allow them to return home, but others fear that the conflict will continue for years to come.
Syria: Thousands of displaced head home, but many refugees still wary
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Top Stories a new article on 2025-02-13 12:00 titled “Syria: Thousands of displaced head home, but many refugees still wary”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
27