DAA calls Damascus to facilitate return of displaced individuals

In a bid to facilitate the return of thousands of returnees to their home in Syria, Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria called upon the transitional government of Syria to fully collaborate in order to overcome challenges facing returnees.

The Syrian Democratic Forces' commander, Mazloum Abdi, and Syria transitional government head Ahmed al-Sharaa signed the agreement on March 10, and it had eight clauses of which "guaranteeing the return of the displaced Syrians to their towns and villages and guaranteeing their protection by the Syrian state" was one.

Experts believe that the return of displaced persons and IDPs to camps and shelters in North and East Syrian provinces is happening gradually.

In an interview held exclusively with our office, Deputy Co-Chair of the Social Affairs and Toilers Authority in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, Sheikhmous Ahmed, explained: "The Autonomous Administration is continuing negotiations with all parties, especially with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Damascus transitional government through the joint committee to discuss the issue of the return of the displaced persons and IDPs."

Continuing Efforts on the Return of Displaced Persons: Al-Hol Camp an Example

Sheikhmous Ahmed highlighted efforts in this regard and referred to a special decision released regarding Al-Hol Camp, where a humanitarian flight was dispatched to Aleppo exactly one week ago, in cooperation with UNHCR and local associations.

This flight consisted of 42 families and 178 individuals. Ahmed promised more humanitarian case flights will be conducted within Syria over the coming days.

Challenges of Return and the Unknown Destiny of Thousands of Syrians

The deputy co-chair of the Social Affairs and Toilers Authority called on the Syrian transitional government to deliver services and work with the Autonomous Administration in order to establish some mechanism for all the displaced to return, and to have a better response towards this issue.

He highlighted the need for the safe repatriation of the refugees and for accelerating the rehabilitation of their burned-down neighborhoods, homes, and infrastructure to enable them to come back and live normal lives.

Ahmed stated that the Arisha camp was completely evacuated, and its residents have returned to Deir ez-Zor Governorate since most of its residents were from that governorate. UNHCR has organized nine flights from the camp, and return has also taken place from the Mahmoudli, Tuwaihina, and Abu Khashab camps to Syria too.

Despite all of this, thousands of families are still forced to go back, but they face gigantic difficulties and challenges, such as devastated infrastructure, destroyed homes, and criminal activities perpetrated by Turkish occupation mercenaries in the occupied territory.

Incidentally, Ahmed emphasized that the fate of the Syrians at Al-Hol camp remains uncertain because there has not yet been an agreement between the Autonomous Administration and the Transitional Government on their return to their original territories.

T/S

ANHA