Latest news with #Syrians
DW
38 minutes ago
- Politics
- DW
Syrian refugees face tough decision on returning home – DW – 06/20/2025
Sara Hteit 06/20/2025 June 20, 2025 Over 14 million Syrian refugees fled their homeland during the country's civil war. Since the collapse of Bashar al Assad's regime last year, over a million have started to return home. But for many Syrians living abroad it remains a difficult decision.
Miami Herald
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
U.N. refugee chief: 2 million Syrians have returned home
BEIRUT, Lebanon, June 19 (UPI) -- U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said Thursday that the international community and financial institutions must support efforts to secure the safe return of Syrian refugees to their country, noting that some 2 two million have returned since Bashar al Assad's regime fell in December. Grandi said he discussed with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun "how to increase opportunities" to now return home for an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees who fled to Lebanon for safety when an uprising in 2011 quickly turned into civil war. "Many refugees have already made that choice," he said on his X account. "But for returns to be sustainable, Syria needs more and faster international support." Grandi noted in a separate X post that it was "a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions" that the 2 million people have returned home. "This proves that we need political solutions, not another wave of instability and displacement," he said, referring to the ongoing Israel-Iran war. Aoun called on the U.N. refugee agency, UNHCR, to intensify efforts to help refugees return and to continue providing aid to them within Syrian territory now that "reasons for their displacement no longer exist" with the fall of the Assad regime. Grandi, who confirmed that his U.N. agency has begun providing direct financial assistance to Syrian families returning to Syria, said he supported the Lebanese government for having adopted a plan for the return of the refugees. "We have started a very constructive discussion on how to translate the policy into a very practical operation that will allow many refugees, as many as possible ... to go back to Syria," he said in a statement after meeting Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. "Many refugees want to go back, but, you know, there are many challenges." He emphasized that Lebanon, UNHCR and Syria "cannot do this alone" and they need help from the international community. "Syria is a country that is on its knees. It needs reconstruction of infrastructure, public services, the economy, their security system," Grandi said. The U.N. estimates the cost of destruction from the war in Syria to be close to $400 billion. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump decided to lift sanctions on Syria during his trip to the Middle East, where he met with Syria's new president, Ahmed Sharaa. Grandi said Trump's decision was "a major step" but he hoped it will be followed by "substantive investments in infrastructure, in creating jobs [and] in security, as well," making a strong appeal to European and Gulf countries and international financial institutions "to help us do the work in Syria." "It is a rare opportunity in this world of crises," he said. According to UNHCR, Syria remains one of the world's largest refugee crises after more than a decade of conflict. Since 2011, more than 14 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. They include 7.4 million Syrians who remain internally displaced in their own country, where 70% of the population needs humanitarian assistance and 90% live below the poverty line. More than 6 million Syrian refugees live in neighboring countries, such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, or abroad. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Roya News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Over 2 million Syrians return home since Assad's ouster: UN
More than two million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes since December, marking a turning point in Syria's years-long crisis, according to UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. "Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December—a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions," Grandi wrote Thursday on X, as he traveled from Lebanon to Syria on the occasion of World Refugee Day. I am in Lebanon, heading to Syria for #WorldRefugeeDay. Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December—a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions. This proves that we need political solutions—not another wave of instability and displacement. — Filippo Grandi (@FilippoGrandi) June 19, 2025 Grandi emphasized the importance of achieving a lasting political resolution to the Syrian conflict. 'This proves that we need political solutions—not another wave of instability and displacement,' he said. The surge in returns follows the December 8 ouster of longtime Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after nearly 25 years in power. Assad's departure ended the Baath Party's decades-long rule, in place since 1963. Ahmad al-Sharaa, a leading figure in the opposition forces that pushed out the Assad regime, was declared transitional president in late January. His leadership has ushered in cautious optimism among Syrians both inside and outside the country. The Syrian civil war, which erupted in 2011 after Assad's violent crackdown on peaceful protests, displaced over half the population, with millions seeking refuge in neighboring countries like Lebanon, Jordan, and Turkey. Grandi's visit to Lebanon—a country hosting an estimated 1.5 million Syrian refugees—underscored the scale of the humanitarian crisis and the challenges of voluntary return. While many returnees are hopeful, they often find their homes destroyed or uninhabitable after 14 years of war. Reconstruction remains a massive challenge, with the UN estimating the cost at more than $400 billion. However, with the lifting of Western sanctions following the regime's fall, Syria's new authorities are seeking international assistance to begin rebuilding efforts.
Memri
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Memri
Syrian Journalists And Activists Celebrate Israel's Attack On Iran: This Is One Of Our Most Joyous Days
The war between Israel and Iran has generated widespread media and political discourse throughout the Middle East, including in Syria, where many are celebrating the Israeli strikes in Iran and the elimination of numerous senior members of Iran's security establishment. Many Syrians regard this as historical justice in light of Iran's consistent support for the Bashar Al-Assad regime throughout the Syrian civil war, up until his downfall on December 8, 2024. During the war, Iran and its affiliated Shi'ite militias, chief of them Hizbullah, established military bases across Syria and took part in the fighting against Assad's opponents, killing many of them and driving others into exile.[1] Syrians on social media welcomed the 'humiliation' of Iran and the elimination of its officials, presenting this as punishment for its crimes against Syria and other Arab countries such as Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen, and as proof that the Iranian era in the region is over. However, the glee at Iran's misfortune was not accompanied by praise for Israel, which Syrians regard as an enemy as well, especially in light of its current military presence in the south of the country and its repeated attacks on Syrian soil over the years. Some of the writers therefore wished both side success in pummeling each other. Conversely, the new Syrian regime, headed by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and the Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) organization, has so far refrained from taking a stance on the Israel-Iran war, in contrast to many Arab countries that condemned Israel and sided with Iran.[2] Israeli airstrikes in Tehran ( June 14, 2025) This report presents a sampling of responses by Syrians welcoming the attacks on Iran. Syrian Journalist Eiad Charbaji: Look And Revel In The Elimination Of The Leaders Of Evil In Tehran Syrian journalist Eiad Charbaji called on Syrians to rejoice in what was happening in Iran, writing: "Oh Syrians, look at and revel in the elimination of the leaders of evil in Tehran... We wish the Iranian people health and that this should be an opportunity for it to bring down these Satans who burned us [all] together."[3] Eiad Charbaji's post on Facebook (Source: June 13, 2025) Syrian Journalist Ahmad Kamal: The Day Iran's Nuclear Project Is Destroyed Will Be One Of The Most Beautiful Days In History Syrian journalist Ahmad Kamal rejoiced at the Israeli strikes on Iran, writing on X: "Today, June 13, 2025, the day of the destruction of Iran's nuclear program, is one of the most joyous days for the Arabs, because today they are freed from the lethal danger that [Iran] was preparing for them. Today the fangs of the Iranian regime have been extracted, and perhaps even its head will be torn off. Today is one of the three most beautiful days in our modern history: the day of the fall of the ethnic Qardahaite[4] [i.e. Assad] regime in Syria; the day of the assassination of the Shi'ite Lebanese Hizbullah commanders; and today."[5] In another post, Kamal lashed out at those defending Iran because of its aid to the Palestinians, stating that this does not excuse it for its many crimes against other Arabs. He wrote: "Oh asses, as a Muslim country, Iran is not forgiven for its crimes against the Muslims in Syria, Iraq, Lebanon and Yemen. On the contrary, oh asses, it makes it even more grave, and base, and more reprehensible. Indeed, when it is your brother who attacks you, it is a thousand times worse than an attack by some foreign element... There is no justification for what Iran has done and is still doing in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, and it cannot be forgotten... no matter what it does in [support of] Palestine. This is because if a criminal rapes four of your sisters, his crimes will not be forgiven [even] if he helps your fifth sister [fend off] another criminal and rapist..."[6] Syrian Journalist Adnan Abd Al-Razak: The Blood Curse Has Reached The Murderers – Even If It Came Late Syrian journalist Adnan Abd Al-Razak, of the Qatari Al-Arabi Al-Jadid daily, wrote on his Facebook page: "[This] is Allah's justice on earth. A year ago, at most, the Syrians had almost lost hope in everything, [including in] all of humanity. At that time, the Persians' plan was almost a reality in the region; the burnishing of the Assad regime's image had increased, and the Syrians' dream of freedom and statehood had almost evaporated. Most Syrians had no option left but to feel frustration, appeal to God for help or [pursue] their individual plans. Then came the liberation of Syria and the overthrow of the criminal regime following the assassination of its supporter in Lebanon [i.e. Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah] and the humiliation of its ally in Tehran, in an event that was more like a miracle... "Today, justice and the natural course of history are continuing, and Iran is humiliated and paying a price for some of what it has done in the region – killing, expulsion, humiliation, distortion of the present and of history, and doing damage to the future… I am not saying that I am happy, or gloating, but I am saying that the Persians are the lowest and most dangerous thing for the region, for the Arabs, for Islam, and for humanity..."[7] Syrian Political Activist: Iran, That Spread Chaos And Violence, Has Reached Its End Ahmad Ramadan wrote on X that the Iranian era had come to an end and that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei would be eliminated: "Iran, that threatens its neighbors, has come to an end! I have in the past called it a dismantled state and said that its regime is fragile. Its military and security situation reveal it to be a paper tiger, and the coming attacks will strike at political leaders, including Khamenei. Iran, which sowed chaos and violence, deployed militias, and destroyed and participated in the killing of over three million Arabs, has come to an end forever... "A new regime is coming to Iran and Iraq, and there will be a change in Yemen and Lebanon (the end of the Houthis and Hizbullah). The Iranian era is over, a different Middle East has begun [to form], and we must all get ready."[8] Other Syrian Activists Wish Success To Both Iran And Israel Alongside the condemnation of Iran, several Syrians expressed the wish that Iran and Israel would damage each other. For example, Syrian journalist Nour Abu Hassan wrote on X: "We hope that neither side will act with restraint. Thank you."[9] Abu Ali Mahamid from southern Syria wrote sarcastically, "We wish victory to both sides."[10] Syrian Journalist In Saudi Daily: This Is The End of The Iranian Era In The Region, And Of The Obama Doctrine Similar claims to those posted by Syrians on social media appear in the article by Syrian journalist Aliya Mansour in her column in the Saudi daily Al-Majallah: "After the recent Israeli operation in Iran, we can declare the end of the Iranian era in the region, the end of the era of this country's domination of [other] countries and peoples. We can also declare the end of the disastrous 'Obama doctrine' in the region, [conceived by] a man who wanted Tehran to have the influence and authority in this region, in disregard of the region's identity, [which has a Sunni majority] of the interests of countries that have – or lack – [various] alliances, and of the will of the peoples… "The first slap sustained by the 'Iranian Empire' project was the elimination of [Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Qods Force commander] Qassem Soleimani. [Then] came [more] slaps and blows, one after the other, from the pager operation [by Israel against Hizbullah] to the elimination of Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and the effective removal of [his] party [Hizbullah] from the circle of regional influence, to the elimination of Hamas political bureau head Isma'il Haniya while he was staying in Tehran and the fall of the Bashar Al-Assad regime [in Syria], which cut off [Iran's] supply line [via Syria]. "After all of this, Iran was given a chance. It was invited to negotiate about its nuclear project, but it did not conduct itself properly, did not understand the magnitude of the hour and did not realize that its project was over and that its death would be pronounced [either] at the negotiating table or on the battlefield. Today, whether the war will be brief or prolonged, its outcomes are known [in advance]: Tehran will drink the cup of poison and Iran will be restored to the Iranian [people], which will ensure that this loathsome regime will meet its end and the Iranian people will [be given] their chance to speak."[11]
New Straits Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Two million Syrians returned home since Assad's fall
BEIRUT, Lebanon: Over two million Syrians who had fled their homes during their country's war have returned since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said Thursday, ahead of a visit to Syria. The Syrian civil war, which erupted in 2011 with Assad's brutal repression of anti-government protests, displaced half of the population internally or abroad. But Assad's December 8 ouster at the hands of Islamist forces sparked hopes of return. "Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December," Grandi wrote on X during a visit to neighbouring Lebanon, which hosts about 1.5 million Syrian refugees, according to official estimates. It is "a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions," he said. "This proves that we need political solutions -- not another wave of instability and displacement." After 14 years of war, many returnees face the reality of finding their homes and property badly damaged or destroyed. But with the recent lifting of Western sanctions on Syria, new authorities hope for international support to launch reconstruction, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion. Earlier this month, UNHCR estimated that up to 1.5 million Syrians from abroad and two million internally displaced persons may return by the end of 2025. - AFP
