"Afrin IDPs' return postpones till after Newroz"

The co-chair of the Afrin Social Association made clear that the reasons for the delay of the displaced persons' return to their homes had not been officially reported yet. He indicated that the return might have taken place after Newroz.

17 March, 2026 15:25

QAMISHLO

After the return of the first batch of Afrin displaced residents, comprising approximately 400 families, to their homes on March 10th after eight years of forced displacement following the Turkish attacks on the city in early January 2018 and its occupation on March 18th of the same year, a second batch of 200 families was scheduled to return. However, the return process has been postponed.

Regarding this matter, Ibrahim Haftaro; the co-chair of the Afrin Social Association, told ANHA agency, "Based on the agreement, we prepared 200 families, but the committee responsible for this matter informed us that the return process would be suspended for several days."

Haftaro indicated that "the precise reasons for postponing the return have not been officially communicated, but in our estimation, it may be related to the opening of the M4 international highway, security issues, or the issue of captives being released; these are the most likely and apparent reasons."

He added, "It was proposed that all displaced people would return by Newroz, but that didn't happen. We might be able to return them after the holiday."

Haftaro continued, "When the agreement was signed on January 29th between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the Interim Government, one of its clauses stipulated the return of all displaced people from Afrin, Serê Kaniyê, and Girê Spî to their homes. Therefore, our return is based on a formal agreement, and this has been confirmed by the United States and France. The agreement isn't limited to the Interim Government; Turkey and France are also involved. Even now, some factions still maintain five centers inside Afrin, and we, as the Afrin Association, have sent them several messages demanding they evacuate those locations."

Haftaro explained that "eight years passed and the people of Afrin are still being subjected to massacres, calling on the young men and women of Afrin to take responsibility for the city's security."

In conclusion, Ibrahim Haftaro addressed the people of Afrin, saying, "We are coming back. Together we must build a new Afrin and a new dawn."

ANHA