DAA supports safe return for IDPs and refugees

On January 23, 2025, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria issued a decision aimed at facilitating the voluntary and safe return of displaced persons from displacement camps, within the framework of a new political phase in the country. This is being done in coordination with the United Nations and relevant parties. The Administration has organized trips to return families to their original areas within Syria. The decision emphasizes that the return must be voluntary, safe, and dignified to their original areas.

In this context, the March 10th agreement, signed between the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, and the head of the interim government, Ahmed al-Sharaa, emphasized in its fifth clause the guarantee of the return of all displaced Syrians to their towns and villages and ensuring their protection by the state. However, despite the passage of nine months since this agreement, the interim government has not taken any measures regarding the return of the forcibly displaced to their areas.

Double Standards

Sheikhmous Ahmed, head of the Office of Displaced Persons and Refugees in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, explained in a statement to ANHA agency that there is a "clear double standard in the United Nations and the interim government in Damascus regarding the issue of displaced persons and the forcibly displaced in the areas of North and East Syria," noting that "despite a year having passed since the fall of the regime, no real progress or serious response has been recorded on this issue by international parties."

Ahmed added that the Autonomous Administration, since the beginning of the new phase, has issued decisions to support the displaced and ensure their safe return to the areas from which they were forcibly displaced. However, the provisions of the March 10th agreement concerning those displaced from areas occupied by the Turkish army and its mercenaries "remain unimplemented."

Voluntary Return

Ahmed explained that the Autonomous Administration coordinated with international bodies, and a committee of displaced Afrin residents was formed to partner with the committee appointed by the Autonomous Administration and the Syrian Democratic Forces to negotiate with the Damascus transitional government, with the aim of ensuring a safe and dignified return. "But there has been no response so far," he said, calling on international bodies to play a sponsoring role and exert pressure on the relevant parties.

Ahmed noted that the Autonomous Administration has successfully facilitated the return of a large number of residents from the Syrian interior from the camps of Arisha, Mahmoudli, and Abu Khashab in Deir ez-Zor, as well as the camps of al-Tuwayhina and al-Hol, through humanitarian return trips organized in coordination with the UNHCR. He explained that the number of families wishing to return voluntarily has reached approximately 1,700.

The Biggest Challenge

He emphasized that the "biggest challenge" remains the return of the displaced people of Afrin, Ras al-Ain, and Tal Abyad, pointing out that meetings continue with the Transitional Government to demand the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation forces and their mercenaries from those areas, the return of homes to their original owners, and guarantees that the families currently residing there will not be harmed.

Regarding public services, Ahmed explained that the Autonomous Administration has developed ongoing plans to support displaced people from North and East Syria, particularly those from Afrin and Shahba. New sites have been established for them, and families have been relocated from schools to these sites to resume the educational process. Additionally, homes have been rented to alleviate their humanitarian burden.

Sheikhmous Ahmed concluded by emphasizing that the primary goal in the coming phase is "the safe and dignified return of displaced people to their homes, without fear of kidnapping or arrest." He stressed that this issue requires genuine international effort and clear guarantees on the ground.

ANHA