Afrin, Serekaniye IDPs appeal for end to their prolonged exile, return to their homes

The dream of a safe return continues to haunt thousands of people forcibly displaced from the cities of Afrin and Serekaniye/ Ras al-Ain, who were compelled to leave their homes following attacks by the Turkish occupation and its affiliated forces on the region. They are calling for a secure return to their homes and an end to the prolonged suffering of life in camps.

20 March, 2026 06:30

QAMISHLO

KULTHUMA ALI

Over the past years, hundreds of thousands of residents from the regions of Afrin, Serekaniye, and Gire Spi/ Tal-Abyed in Rojava have endured the bitterness of displacement. Their lives have shifted from stability in their homes and orchards to the harsh realities of camps lacking even the most basic standards of human dignity. Since 2018 for Afrin, and 2019 for Serekaniye and Gire Spi, the issue of a “safe return” has remained the primary popular demand and the central focus for the displaced.

In the city of Derik, Fatima Ahmad, a displaced woman from Afrin, is experiencing anxiety following the halt of the return process, which had begun with the arrival of the first group on March 10 but later stopped without explanation.

Fatima says: “We were eagerly awaiting the implementation of the provisions related to our return. Indeed, a group of families returned recently, but the process suddenly stopped without any clarification. We are fully prepared to return to our homes, and we wonder: why has the return of the second group been postponed?”

She added: “Afrin, for us, is an endless love, and every displaced person dreams of reclaiming the roof and walls they left behind.”

For his part, Sadiq Omar, also displaced from Afrin and currently residing in Derik, stressed the need to protect the properties of displaced people in Afrin, holding the relevant parties and the Syrian Interim Government responsible for facilitating this matter. He explained: “We are waiting on burning coals. We were forced to migrate due to the attacks, and today it is our right to return to protect our homes and rebuild our community. All obstacles that halted the return process after the first group must be removed.”

Meanwhile, in the camps, where suffering intensifies with the changing seasons, Hadeel Mustafa, displaced from Serekaniye, described the situation as tragic. She said: “For years, we have been struggling with the heat of summer and the cold of winter under tents, while our homes and properties still stand there. Our demand is clear: we want a safe and stable return guaranteed by our Internal Security Forces (Asayish).”

Hadeel concluded by asking: “How long will we remain prisoners of tents while we have homes? We have tasted enough of the bitterness of displacement, and it is time to live with dignity under the roofs of our houses.”

ANHA