Afrin, al-Shahba IDPs denounce dangers of return, demand protection.

Hundreds of thousands of displaced people from Afrin and al-Shahba, residing in shelters in northeastern Syria, are demanding their right to a safe and dignified return to their homes. They stressed that this right is not negotiable, but rather one of the most basic human rights that must be restored to its owners, with guarantees that they will not be subjected to any future threats or violations.

In the centers of Raqqa canton, the suffering of thousands of families displaced by war and occupation, deprived of their land, memories, and livelihoods, is also evident.

Ali Al-Khamisi, a father of five from Afrin, said: "We left our homes with nothing but our clothes, hoping that we would return soon. But the years pass, and we are still here... Our orchards and memories are there, where we live only in memory."

Al-Khamisi emphasized that returning "is not a plea for pity," but rather a legitimate right, adding: "The occupiers must withdraw, and the responsible authorities must guarantee our safe return. Syria belongs to all Syrians, and our homes await us."

Amina Mustafa, a mother of three from a village in al-Shahba, described her feelings, saying: "Being far from our land means we are incomplete. This land belongs to all of us, and the presence of any occupying force is a violation."

She continued: "We demand an immediate and unconditional return, with guarantees that protect us and restore our property. What we are demanding is not a luxury, but rather rights that must be respected and restored."

Mohammed Bakri, a 70-year-old man whose hair has turned gray in a displacement camp, expressed his deep connection to the land, noting that he lost his farm in Afrin, where he had worked for decades.

Bakri said, "Every stone, every tree in Afrin and al-Shahba tells our stories and the stories of our ancestors. The land is not just a place; it is our identity and our memory."

He called on international and local parties to shoulder their responsibilities in guaranteeing the right of return and providing legal and logistical protection mechanisms that enable the displaced to return to their homes with dignity.

ANHA