Erdogan: 200,000 Syrians Returned Home from Türkiye

Türkiye’s repatriation efforts have seen renewed momentum, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announcing that 200,000 Syrians have returned to Syria since December 9, 2024. Speaking at an event on Türkiye’s migration strategy under the “Century of Türkiye” vision, Erdogan emphasized that the return movement is accelerating as Syria begins to stabilize.

“Despite numerous obstacles and sabotage attempts, Syria is showing signs of recovery,” Erdogan stated. “And as recovery unfolds, voluntary returns are increasing steadily.”

In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Erdogan highlighted that the total number of Syrians who have returned voluntarily, safely, and with dignity now stands at 931,450. He underscored Türkiye’s role in addressing what he called one of the greatest humanitarian challenges of the century.

Return Movement Gains Momentum

According to recent UN reports, nearly 30% of Syrian refugees now express a desire to return home, a significant shift from earlier years when the figure was near zero. This growing trend aligns with the transitional political changes in Syria, including the departure of long-time Syrian President Bashar Assad, who fled to Russia in December. The dissolution of Syria’s Baath Party regime, along with its security apparatus, parliament, and constitution, led to the formation of a new transitional administration in January 2025.

One of the central goals of this new government is to facilitate the return of around 6 million Syrians who had either fled abroad or been displaced internally during the 13-year-long conflict.

Global Migration on the Rise

Erdogan also drew attention to the global scale of migration, citing figures from the International Organisation for Migration. More than 281 million people currently live as migrants, including over 165 million migrant workers. He noted that due to prolonged conflicts, oppression, and terrorism, at least 20 people are forced to flee every minute.

The number of global refugees has surged to nearly 120 million in just the last few years—driven by wars, unresolved crises, and climate-related displacement. “3.6% of the world’s population now lives as migrants,” Erdogan emphasized, warning that the rates will only grow without comprehensive international solutions.

Türkiye Shouldering the Burden

Türkiye, having hosted around 4 million Syrian refugees, continues to bear the heaviest refugee burden globally, far exceeding the contributions of wealthier nations. Erdogan criticized the lack of support from Western powers, stating that while they influence global migration through foreign policy, they fall short when it comes to sharing humanitarian responsibilities.

“Three out of every four refugees are sheltered in low- and middle-income countries, not in wealthy Western states,” Erdogan noted. Türkiye’s humanitarian policy, he added, has remained consistent and proactive in both supporting refugees and encouraging voluntary, dignified return.