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A total of 411,649 Syrian nationals have returned to their country voluntarily since Dec. 8, 2024, under a government-coordinated repatriation program, Türkiye’s migration authority said Thursday.
The Presidency of Migration Management said the total number of voluntary returns since 2016 has reached 1.15 million. Türkiye currently hosts 2.54 million Syrians under temporary protection.
Authorities say the “voluntary, safe, dignified, and orderly” returns are conducted in cooperation with all relevant institutions, covering every step from registration to transportation to border gates.
Those wishing to return can book appointments online through provincial migration offices, which issue a voluntary return form, travel permits, and other necessary documents.
Returnees are then transported from coordination centers, such as Istanbul’s Arnavutkoy facility, to border gates, including Hatay Cilvegozu, Kilis Oncupinar, Gaziantep Karkamis, and Sanliurfa Akcakale.
Children receive gifts before departure, and biometric verification is conducted at border crossings. The process can also be initiated directly at border gates. Returns are monitored by the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Several Syrians told Anadolu Agency that they were grateful for Türkiye’s hospitality and assistance, but eager to reunite with relatives and rebuild their lives in Syria.
“I was born in Türkiye and love it very much,” said 10-year-old Nurtac Davut, who is taking her adopted cat back to Syria.
“Turks always helped me, I never saw any harm,” said Ahmet Ali, who lived in Türkiye for eight years. “I’m excited to go home, but I will come back to visit.”
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