The al-Arida border crossing in Syria’s coastal Tartous province received the third convoy of Syrians returning voluntarily from Lebanon on Thursday, border authorities said.
The convoy comprised about 90 families, roughly 500 people, who had previously been displaced to Lebanon during the country’s conflict. The movement is part of a “voluntary return” program coordinated by Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports and the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR), aimed at ensuring a safe and dignified repatriation.
The General Authority for Land and Sea Ports said in a statement on its Telegram channel that all necessary procedures were taken to facilitate the returnees’ entry and provide essential services, including free transportation to their hometowns across several provinces.
Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, told the Third Committee of the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday that since Dec. 8, 2024, more than 1.1 million refugees have returned to Syria from neighboring countries.
