IDPs suffering Syria continues, safe return is utmost our priority 

The spokesperson for the Displaced Persons Committee of Serê Kaniyê, lawyer Mahmoud Jamil, spoke about the situation of the displaced and their great hopes of being able to return to their homes and properties, a year after the fall of the Ba'ath regime, and how those hopes have begun to wane, without any real steps from the transitional government toward implementing the right of return.

Syria without camps... A slogan without implementation

Jamil said: "We expected the fall of the Ba'ath regime to be a harbinger of good and a glimmer of hope for our return to our homes and the restoration of our properties. But unfortunately, due to the continuation of the occupation, Turkish pressures, and its extensive interference in Syrian affairs, directly influencing the interim government, our hopes have been completely dashed."

He added that the transitional government did not adhere to any of its promises regarding the right of return according to international resolutions, especially Resolution 2,254, despite the promises made by al-Shara during his visit to Afrin and his slogan "Syria without camps."

Jamil continued: "The agreement signed between the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, and Mr. Ahmad al-Shara on March 10, 2025, included a main clause about working toward the safe and dignified return of the displaced from Afrin, Tal Abyad, and Ras al-Ain, and compensating them for material and moral damages. However, until now, no practical steps have been taken to fulfilll these promises. On the contrary, we see the government supporting Turkish policies in these areas and having no actual role or authority there."

The suffering of the displaced worsens in the absence of solutions.

Jamil called on the United Nations and the member states of the Security Council to take serious action to ensure the safe and dignified return of all displaced persons, affirming that this right is "acquired and cannot be waived."
He pointed out that the suffering of the displaced is increasing over time due to difficult living conditions, rising prices, the spread of diseases, a lack of security, and the fear of losing their children's future.

He said, "Unfortunately, the government does not see itself as responsible for the displaced file as if we are not Syrian citizens, and the failure to implement the March 10 agreement is primarily due to the obstruction practiced by the interim government, which treats the agreement as if it were never signed."
Demographic change...

A rising danger in northern Syria

Jamil pointed out that one of the goals of the Turkish occupation in the three areas (Afrin, Tal Abyad, and Ras al-Ain) is to create a wide demographic change by displacing the original inhabitants, especially the Kurds, and settling families from other regions in their place.

He added: "Unfortunately, we see today the settlement of about 100 families of ISIS mercenaries in the new Hawarna neighborhood in Serê Kaniyê, and this demographic change threatens serious problems among the Syrians themselves." And worse, the interim government is assisting the Turkish occupation in implementing this plan due to its failure to fulfilll its responsibility in repatriating the displaced.

Mahmoud Jamil concluded his speech by emphasizing that the issue of the displaced will remain unresolved unless the signed agreements and international resolutions are implemented, and that the displaced will continue to demand their right to return no matter how long it takes.

In light of this crisis, the transitional government has caused new waves of displacement from the coastal and Sweida regions to other areas, including North and East Syria, due to the violations and massacres committed there, which have been documented by most human rights organizations.

ANHA