Return of Afrin’s Displaced Began Years Ago… Today’s Convoy Marks the Final Stage

Welat TV – Erbil

Residents of Afrin in Syrian Kurdistan have remained deeply attached to their land and historical roots, never abandoning hope of returning despite the hardships and repeated waves of displacement they endured during the years of the Syrian uprising.

The return of Afrin’s displaced residents to their towns and villages has unfolded in several stages over recent years, amid shifting political and military developments across the region.

First Phase: Gradual Return After the 2018 Displacement

The first phase began after Turkish Armed Forces and allied armed groups took control of Afrin in March 2018, forcing thousands of families to leave the area. Shortly after the displacement, some families gradually began returning to their homes. However, many of these returns reportedly occurred secretly and required the payment of money.

Second Phase: Returns After the February 2023 Earthquake

A second wave of returns occurred after Barzani Charity Foundation arrived in Afrin following the devastating earthquake that struck the region on February 6, 2023, causing significant damage in Jinderes. Humanitarian efforts during this period encouraged a number of families to return to their homes.

Largest Wave of Returns After the Fall of the Assad Regime

The largest wave of returns was recorded after the fall of the Assad regime at the end of 2024, when thousands of families returned to Afrin in what was considered one of the largest return movements since the displacement began.

Return of Thousands from Shahba Camps

Another phase followed after the arrival of the so-called “Deterrence of Aggression Forces” in the Shahba area, enabling thousands of families to leave the Shahba camps and return to Afrin. The Kurdish National Council oversaw the transportation of returning families, while the Barzani Charity Foundation provided humanitarian assistance to them inside Afrin.

More Than 20,000 Families Returned in 11 Months

In a statement to Welat TV, Masoud Battal said that more than 20,000 families have returned to Afrin in the 11 months since the fall of the Assad regime. He added that around 80% of the displacement camps in Afrin have been emptied as families returned to their original areas.

Families Displaced from Ashrafiya and Sheikh Maqsoud Return

Following recent clashes in the neighborhoods of Ashrafiya and Sheikh Maqsoud, hundreds of families who had fled those areas also returned to Afrin in recent weeks.

New Convoys Returning from Jazira Region

In a new development, Afrin residents who remained in the Jazira Region of Syrian Kurdistan are preparing to return to their homes in the coming days.

The first convoy of returning families departed today, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a larger wave of returns to the area.