Syrians in camps demand return, slam Damascus procrastination
Displaced people in camps in NE Syria have called for an accelerated return to their original areas, expressing their dissatisfaction with the procrastination of the Damascus authorities in this context. They emphasize that their return remains contingent on the provision of security, infrastructure, and economic and educational support.
On the first of June this year, the first official meeting was held between representatives of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Damascus authorities. During the meeting, an agreement was reached to expedite efforts to facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their original areas. Despite this positive step, Damascus has not yet taken practical measures to enable this return, while the Autonomous Administration continues to implement its plan in this regard.
The Autonomous Administration had previously issued a decision on January 23 of last year to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced individuals wishing to return from camps in NE Syria, such as Al-Hol and Al-Arisha.
This process is supervised by the Social Affairs and Labor Authority and the Refugee Affairs Commission, with protection provided by internal security forces. So far, 11 voluntary trips have been organized from Al-Arisha camp, located south of the city of Hasaka, which still houses approximately 11,000 displaced people across more than 2,100 families.
In light of this situation, several displaced individuals in the camp expressed their frustration with the Damascus authorities' delays, reaffirming that their return depends on the provision of security, infrastructure, and economic and educational support.
Fatimah Ali Muhammad, a displaced woman from western Deir ez-Zor, described the security risks in their original areas as the greatest threat to their return.
"Our regions suffer from crimes, explosions, and landmines that threaten civilian lives. We were waiting for a safe return, but what we see now endangers our lives. We demand the presence of neutral UN forces to ensure our security, along with the necessary infrastructure and services for life."
Kazim Talal Al-Kate', on the other hand, spoke about the lack of housing, stating, "Even if security is provided, we have no homes. All our houses are destroyed. I have four sons who got married inside the camp—how can I return with them when we have no shelter? We appeal to international organizations to build homes for us and provide the minimum requirements for a dignified life."
Ayada Dawood Al-Huwaidi, a 40-year-old displaced man from Al-Mayadin in Deir ez-Zor, said, "Our children's future has been lost due to the absence of education. We live in the camp on aid, and we lack an economy to support us upon return. We demand psychological and educational support programs, as our children have only learned to wait and worry."
Caught between the hope of return and the fears of reality, the displaced people’s demands can be summarized in three main points: ensuring a safe and stable environment, providing infrastructure, housing, and basic services, and offering economic, educational, and psychological support to ensure families can reintegrate into their normal lives.
Despite the ongoing efforts of the Autonomous Administration to facilitate the return, the lack of tangible actions from the Damascus authorities—combined with persistent threats from armed groups and security risks in the original areas—makes a comprehensive return a deferred goal. Achieving it requires political will, an international response, and broader humanitarian efforts.
a.k
ANHA
Syrians in camps demand return, slam Damascus procrastination
On the first of June this year, the first official meeting was held between representatives of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Damascus authorities. During the meeting, an agreement was reached to expedite efforts to facilitate the return of displaced Syrians to their original areas. Despite this positive step, Damascus has not yet taken practical measures to enable this return, while the Autonomous Administration continues to implement its plan in this regard.
The Autonomous Administration had previously issued a decision on January 23 of last year to facilitate the voluntary return of displaced individuals wishing to return from camps in NE Syria, such as Al-Hol and Al-Arisha.
This process is supervised by the Social Affairs and Labor Authority and the Refugee Affairs Commission, with protection provided by internal security forces. So far, 11 voluntary trips have been organized from Al-Arisha camp, located south of the city of Hasaka, which still houses approximately 11,000 displaced people across more than 2,100 families.
In light of this situation, several displaced individuals in the camp expressed their frustration with the Damascus authorities' delays, reaffirming that their return depends on the provision of security, infrastructure, and economic and educational support.
Fatimah Ali Muhammad, a displaced woman from western Deir ez-Zor, described the security risks in their original areas as the greatest threat to their return.
"Our regions suffer from crimes, explosions, and landmines that threaten civilian lives. We were waiting for a safe return, but what we see now endangers our lives. We demand the presence of neutral UN forces to ensure our security, along with the necessary infrastructure and services for life."
Kazim Talal Al-Kate', on the other hand, spoke about the lack of housing, stating, "Even if security is provided, we have no homes. All our houses are destroyed. I have four sons who got married inside the camp—how can I return with them when we have no shelter? We appeal to international organizations to build homes for us and provide the minimum requirements for a dignified life."
Ayada Dawood Al-Huwaidi, a 40-year-old displaced man from Al-Mayadin in Deir ez-Zor, said, "Our children's future has been lost due to the absence of education. We live in the camp on aid, and we lack an economy to support us upon return. We demand psychological and educational support programs, as our children have only learned to wait and worry."
Caught between the hope of return and the fears of reality, the displaced people’s demands can be summarized in three main points: ensuring a safe and stable environment, providing infrastructure, housing, and basic services, and offering economic, educational, and psychological support to ensure families can reintegrate into their normal lives.
Despite the ongoing efforts of the Autonomous Administration to facilitate the return, the lack of tangible actions from the Damascus authorities—combined with persistent threats from armed groups and security risks in the original areas—makes a comprehensive return a deferred goal. Achieving it requires political will, an international response, and broader humanitarian efforts.
a.k
ANHA
