Damascus, June 20 (SANA) More than 3 million Syrians, including refugees and internally displaced people, have returned to their areas of origin since December 2024, reflecting growing momentum for return after years of displacement, the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) said on Saturday.
The report, issued on World Refugee Day, said international discussions on Syria have increasingly shifted from focusing on displacement to supporting return, reintegration and recovery. However, the report stressed that sustainable return remains dependent on addressing legal, security and service-related challenges that continue to affect millions of Syrians.
According to the report, more than 1.5 million refugees have returned from host countries and over 1.8 million internally displaced persons have gone back to their home areas since the fall of the deposed regime on Dec. 8, 2024. Despite the increase in returns, millions of Syrians remain displaced and are waiting for conditions to improve before returning.
The report said the fall of the deposed regime on Dec. 8, 2024, removed a major political and security obstacle that had prevented large-scale returns, but warned that significant barriers remain.
Among the most pressing challenges are landmines and unexploded ordnance. SNHR documented at least 341 civilian deaths, including 88 children and 21 women, between December 2024 and June 2026 as a result of landmine explosions and cluster munition remnants.
The report also highlighted ongoing difficulties faced by returnees seeking to prove ownership of, or recover, confiscated and damaged properties. While authorities have taken steps to address some of these issues, including the cancellation of precautionary seizure orders under a presidential decree issued in May 2025, legal and administrative obstacles continue to affect many families.
In northern Syria, around 700,000 displaced people remain in approximately 1,126 camps, including 786 camps in Idlib province and 340 in the Aleppo countryside. The report said floods in February 2026 underscored the vulnerability of camp residents, particularly in western Idlib.
Although some improvements have been recorded in basic services, including electricity and water supplies, rising costs of electricity, fuel and essential goods continue to place pressure on households, according to the report.
SNHR said levels of direct conflict-related violence have declined significantly compared with previous years, contributing to improved conditions for return in many areas.
World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20 to raise awareness of the plight of refugees worldwide and promote efforts aimed at securing durable solutions through voluntary return, resettlement or integration.
KhA / AbdRh
