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

On Monday, a group of Syrian Kurds returned to the northeastern border town of Ras al-Ain after years of displacement, signaling progress following an integration deal between the Kurds and Damascus. The January agreement aimed to merge Kurdish forces and civil institutions into the state, including the return of displaced Kurds, though residents of Ras al-Ain had been awaiting assistance.

Thousands of Kurds were displaced when Turkey and allied Syrian fighters seized the Arab-majority strip of territory along the Turkish border, including Ras al-Ain, during Syria's civil war in 2019.

Jawan Isso, representing displaced people from Ras al-Ain, confirmed that a first batch of about 2,500 people were returning on Monday. This initial step resulted from coordination between Damascus and Kurdish authorities, with a second batch expected in the coming days. Dozens of trucks loaded with belongings were prepared in Hasakeh, with eager men, women, and children ready to depart.

Returnee Nora Khodor, 37, expressed her joy, stating, "I've been waiting for this moment... it's like a dream for a person to return to their home." She added, "I'm happy for an end to this suffering." Human rights groups reported that residents' homes and belongings were seized or looted after the offensive, with some fighters settling in the area, still living in Ras al-Ain.

Rawda Mohammed, 39, echoed the sentiment, saying, "We are very happy about returning. I asked about my home. They told me it is totally destroyed, but we didn't get pessimistic because we're happy to return." The committee representing displaced people emphasized the need to protect property, housing, and land rights, providing basic services and infrastructure for returnees.