Attachments
Key Highlights
- Since the HTS offensive in late November, an estimated 1.1 million people have been internally displaced in Syria, primarily from the governorates of Aleppo, Idleb, Hama and Homs. Displaced people are arriving largely in Idleb, Hama, Rural Damascus, Aleppo and Tartous. In parallel, over five thousand IDPs have left IDP camps in north-west Syria in the last week, intending to return back to their homes.
- While the overall security situation in most areas of the country is improving, the situation across northeast Syria (NES) remains volatile following major territorial and political shifts. In Ar-Raqqa, clashes between armed groups, blockades and civil unrest have disrupted operations. Additional displacement and access challenges have strained humanitarian operations in the sub-region.
- While Syrian refugees are optimistic and interested in return, they also express concern and caution. Relatively small numbers of Syrian refugees are crossing from Türkiye and Jordan to Syria. The Government of Lebanon has indicated that just under 10,000 Syrians have returned from Lebanon to Syria since 8 December. At the same time, tens of thousands of Syrians and Lebanese are reportedly crossing back from Syria into Lebanon, especially into Hermel-Baalbek Governorate. Over one thousand Syrians have arrived in Iraq in the last few days, with a peak of 800 individuals on 11 December.
- Regarding refugee returns, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has reiterated that any returns must be voluntary and made in safety and dignity. Given the situation in Syria, it is crucial that planning for returns should be pursued with patience and centred on the refugees’ own well-informed choices. Maintaining funding to host countries and refugee programmes is crucial at this time of uncertainty; and is a key element in ensuring the voluntary character of return, allowing refugees to make choices free from pressure to return.