Damascus, Syria – The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that more than one million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have returned to their homes since late last year.
In a post on the social media platform X on Thursday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said, “ Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December.” Grandi described the returns as “a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions.”
“This proves that we need political solutions—not another wave of instability and displacement.” he added.
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Earlier this year, Grandi stressed that lifting European and U.S. sanctions on Syria is crucial to enabling refugees to return and rebuild their lives. Following his meeting with Syria’s transitional leadership in Damascus, he emphasized the importance of securing investment in security, housing, employment, and essential services to support durable returns.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Syria also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting the voluntary return of displaced Syrians from camps in northeastern Syria to their home communities.
Read more: Washington Reaffirms Commitment to Return Displaced Syrians from Northeast Camps
In a statement posted on X, the embassy said, “The U.S. is committed to the voluntary return of Syrians in northeast camps to their homes.”
The embassy confirmed that 42 Syrian families, totaling 178 people, departed the Al-Hol camp on June 15 to return to their communities of origin. The return was organized with the support of the U.S., local authorities, and humanitarian partners in the region.
