Hundreds of Syria Kurds head back to border town after years of displacement

On Monday, a group of Syrian Kurds began returning to the northeastern border town of Ras al-Ain, marking the start of a long-awaited journey home after years of displacement. This relocation followed a January agreement between Kurdish forces and Damascus, which included the return of displaced Kurds to their hometowns. However, the residents of Ras al-Ain had been waiting for this moment, prompting appeals for assistance from authorities.

According to Jawan Isso, a committee member representing displaced people from Ras al-Ain, a first batch of approximately 2,500 individuals were heading back home on Monday. This initial transfer is the result of coordinated efforts between Damascus and Kurdish authorities, with a second batch set to be transferred in the coming days. An AFP correspondent witnessed dozens of trucks loaded with household items waiting near the city of Hasakeh, with eager men, women, and children ready to depart.

Nora Khodor, a 37-year-old returnee, expressed her joy at the prospect of returning to her home, saying, "I've been waiting for this moment... it's like a dream for a person to return to their home. I'm happy for an end to this suffering." Human rights groups have reported that residents' homes and belongings were either seized or looted following the Turkish offensive in 2019, which saw the seizure of Kurdish-controlled territory.

Turkish forces launched multiple cross-border offensives against Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria before the emergence of the new Syrian Islamist authorities ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. These authorities have since been extending central government control across the country, including former Kurdish-held areas.

Rawda Mohammed, a 39-year-old returnee, shared her happiness at the prospect of returning home, but also acknowledged the destruction of her home, expressing optimism for the future once they arrive.

According to the United Nations, about 5.5 million people remain internally displaced within Syria following more than 13 years of civil war. The committee representing displaced people from Ras al-Ain emphasized that Monday's transfer is the beginning of a path towards a complete return, stressing the need to protect property, housing, and land rights, as well as providing basic services and infrastructure for the returning population.