‘There are many challenges’: Syrians in Turkey Consider Return After Fall of Assad
The pull to return home can be profound, even for those who barely remember it. For Ahmed, an 18-year-old Syrian, that yearning is palpable. Emerging from a mosque in Gaziantep, near the Syrian border, he wears a black T-shirt emblazoned with Syria. Ahmed’s family fled their homeland when he was just five, but he is determined to go back within the next couple of years.
– I am impatient to get there, Ahmed shares. I am trying to save money first, because wages in Syria are low.
– He remains optimistic about the future: Syria will be rebuilt, and it will be like gold.
If Ahmed returns, he will join the ranks of over half a million Syrians who have left Turkey since the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Many had found refuge in Turkey since the civil war ignited in 2011. At its peak, Turkey hosted 3.5 million Syrians, but this influx has also resulted in political tensions and occasional xenophobic attacks.
The Challenges of Returning to Syria
While no Syrian is officially forced to leave, many feel pressured due to bureaucratic shifts and a declining sense of welcome. A Syrian woman, who chose to remain anonymous, reflects, Civil society organizations are receiving signals from the authorities that it’s time to go. She adds, I have many good Turkish friends who ask why I am still here. We’ll return, but it needs to be organized; if we all go back at once, it could lead to chaos.
Aya Mustafa, 32, shares this sentiment. Meeting under the ancient stone walls of Gaziantep’s castle, she discusses the frequent conversations among Syrians about returning home.
– Every day, every hour, we talk about how we can return, when, and what we will need, she explains.
– But there are many challenges. Many families have children born here who can’t even speak Arabic.
The devastation in Syria is a major concern. Aya personally witnessed the ruins of Aleppo on a recent visit; while her family home still stands, it is now occupied.
– It’s a significant decision to return, especially for families with elderly relatives, she notes. We need basic necessities like electricity, water, and jobs to survive there.
Although Aya believes their day to return will come, she knows it will take years to rebuild what was lost.
Diverging Perspectives on Return
A short drive away, a Syrian family of four presents a contrasting view. The father, who runs an aid organization, affirms:
– No, not for me or my family. We plan to stay in Turkey.
He highlights pressing issues within Syria, including:
– Economic instability
– Security concerns
– Lack of educational and healthcare infrastructure
Reflecting on the current regime, he feels that the interim government lacks the experience to manage the nation’s recovery effectively.
– The security situation is dire, he stresses. Every day, there are killings. Regardless of who the victims are, they have souls.
Though he is committed to staying in Turkey, he is already formulating contingency plans should government policies shift.
– Plan A is staying here, he remarks. But I’m thinking about Plan B, C, and D as well, because I am always planning.
Living in Limbo in Turkey
Remaining in Turkey is not without its own difficulties. Syrians are granted temporary protection, but it comes with restrictions. They often cannot leave the cities where they were initially registered, and obtaining work permits is challenging. Many are relegated to low-paid jobs, living on the edges of society.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has asserted that no Syrian will be forcibly removed. However, refugee advocates warn of growing underlying pressures, such as:
– The cancellation of free medical care for Syrians starting January
– New government regulations making it financially burdensome to employ them
Metin Corabatir, head of an independent Turkish research center on asylum and migration, emphasizes:
– These changes cast a shadow over how voluntary returns are perceived.
He also warns that upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections, due by 2028, may introduce additional risks for Syrians in Turkey. While Erdogan has typically been a protector for this community, electoral gains for the ruling party could lead to shifts in policy.
A Glimmer of Hope
On a chilly morning at a border crossing, Mahmud Sattouf and his wife, Suad Helal, make the journey back to Syria, albeit temporarily—for a visit. With Turkish citizenship, they can return without the same risks faced by many other Syrians.
Mahmud, an enthusiastic teacher, expresses his eagerness:
– We are returning because we love our country. It’s a great joy that’s hard to put into words. As we say in English: ‘East, west, home is best.’
He envisions a permanent return in about a year, when conditions stabilize.
– I am 63, but I don’t feel old. I feel young. We are ready to rebuild our country.
When asked what it would mean to return permanently, Mahmud smiles broadly:
– I will be the happiest man in the world.
As Syrians in Turkey grapple with their future, the promise of returning home remains intertwined with a multitude of challenges and hopes.