Syrian Refugees in Turkey Consider Return Home After Assad's Fall

Following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, over half a million Syrian refugees in Turkey are contemplating returning to their homeland, despite the challenges of rebuilding and low wages, according to BBC World. These refugees had sought refuge in Turkey since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011.

Turkey, once a haven for millions of Syrians, is now seeing a shift in the political landscape and rising xenophobia, factors influencing the potential repatriation, BBC World reports. The pull of home remains strong, even for those who barely remember it.

Ahmed, 18, who was five years old when his family fled Syria, told BBC World that he is planning to return in a year or two. "I am impatient to get there," he said, adding that he is trying to save money first because wages in Syria are low. Despite the challenges, Ahmed insists that the future will be better in Syria, stating, "Syria will be rebuilt."

Orla Guerin, Senior International Correspondent in Gaziantep, Turkey, reported for BBC World that while the desire to return is present, many challenges remain for Syrians considering repatriation. Aya Mustafa, another Syrian refugee in Turkey, also expressed a desire to return home, according to BBC World.