Efforts to Return Syrian Kurdish Displaced Under UN Supervision

Kurdish displaced people from Syria's Afrin living in harsh conditions after fleeing northern Aleppo countryside – North Press
Kurdish displaced people from Syria's Afrin living in harsh conditions after fleeing northern Aleppo countryside – North Press

By Kardo Roj

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Afrin Social Association, in coordination with the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian government in Damascus, is working on a plan to facilitate the return of displaced Afrin residents under United Nations (UN) supervision, an official said on Saturday.

Ibrahim Haftaro, an administrator in the Afrin Social Association, told North Press that the initiative aims to provide a safe and dignified return for thousands of displaced individuals who fled Afrin due to military operations.

“We have submitted an official message to the UN and are working with their office in the region to secure international support for the return of Afrin’s displaced,” Haftaro stated.

Afrin, a predominantly Kurdish region in northwestern Syria, witnessed a large-scale displacement following Turkey’s military offensive in 2018, which resulted in the occupation of the area by Turkish-backed armed groups. At that time, an estimated 300,000 people were forced to flee, with many settling in displacement camps in the northern countryside of Aleppo, as well as areas controlled by AANES in northeastern Syria.

A new wave of displacement occurred in late 2024 when Turkish forces and their allied Syrian factions launched renewed attacks on areas where Afrin’s displaced population had taken refuge. These offensives pushed thousands more into the AANES-controlled eastern Euphrates region, where they now face harsh humanitarian conditions.

Haftaro emphasized that displaced Afrin residents should be able to return to their homes with international guarantees ensuring their safety.

“Our goal is not just to return them, but to ensure their safety, dignity, and rights. We are also coordinating with AANES to establish a structured plan for their reintegration,” he said.

The displaced population has long accused Turkish-backed factions of committing human rights violations in Afrin, including arbitrary arrests, property seizures, and forced demographic changes. Multiple human rights reports have documented abuses in the region, prompting calls for international intervention.

Haftaro also called on the Syrian government to facilitate the return of displaced people from other areas, including Damascus and Daraa, to their hometowns, while ensuring Afrin’s displaced are granted the same right.

“The government in Damascus must fulfill its responsibilities and allow all displaced Syrians, including those from Afrin, to return to their ancestral lands,” he said.

However, the feasibility of such a return remains uncertain. The Turkish government continues to maintain a strong military presence in Afrin, and its allied factions control vast swathes of territory. Without a formal agreement between key actors—Turkey, Damascus, the UN, and Kurdish authorities—a large-scale return may face significant obstacles.

Despite the challenges, the Afrin Social Association remains committed to pushing for a political and humanitarian solution. The next steps involve continued discussions with UN representatives and securing international guarantees to prevent further displacement or persecution of returnees.

As diplomatic efforts unfold, tens of thousands of displaced Afrin residents continue to live in precarious conditions, hoping for a resolution that will allow them to return to their homes after years of conflict and uncertainty.