Syrian authorities launched a large-scale operation to facilitate the return of displaced residents to their homes in northern Syria, as part of broader efforts to restore stability across the country. The initiative includes organized movements in the Afrin region and the northern countryside of Aleppo, aimed at enabling thousands of families to return to their villages and towns.
Aleppo Governor Discusses Return Plans
Azzam al-Gharib, the governor of Aleppo, met with Ziad al-Ayesh, a brigadier general and presidential envoy tasked with overseeing implementation of the Jan. 29 agreement with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Their discussions focused on mechanisms for organizing the return of displaced residents to their communities in the Shuyoukh sub-district, Ain al-Arab (Kobani) and Afrin. Officials emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate security arrangements and restoring essential services to create a safe and stable environment for returning residents.
The meeting also reviewed administrative and field procedures needed to complete the process. Gharib said the governorate is coordinating closely with relevant authorities to ensure that returning residents have access to basic services and security guarantees.
At the same time, a presidential delegation visited Hasakah to coordinate the logistical aspects of the plan. The delegation was received by the governor of Hasakah, Nouruddin Issa. During the visit, officials met with displaced families from Afrin currently living in Hasakah. The delegation reiterated that returning home is a legitimate right for citizens, in line with directives from Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to end displacement throughout the country.
First Convoy Heads Toward Afrin
The coordinated efforts culminated Monday, March 9, with the departure of the first organized convoy of returnees. According to Ayesh, 50 buses carrying about 400 families departed from the Ramousa Bridge area in Aleppo toward Afrin after logistical and technical preparations were completed.
The convoy was accompanied by ambulances and medical teams from the Syrian Civil Defense and included shipments of humanitarian assistance. Ayesh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to facilitating the safe and organized return of displaced Syrians to their homes, emphasizing that the initiative aims to ensure a dignified return while strengthening stability and coexistence across the country.
