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 considering 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. While the pull of home is strong, even for those who barely remember it, the decision to return is complex.

Ahmed, 18, who fled Syria with his family at the age of five, told BBC World 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 economic challenges, Ahmed remains optimistic, stating, "Syria will be rebuilt and it will be better there."

The BBC's Senior International Correspondent, Orla Guerin, reported from Gaziantep, Turkey, near the Syrian border, highlighting the complexities faced by Syrians contemplating their return. Aya Mustafa, another Syrian refugee in Turkey, also expressed a desire to return home.