Displaced Families Departs Northern Syria’s al-Arisha Camp Toward Deir ez-Zor
By Kardo Roj
HASAKAH, Syria (North Press) – A new group of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Deir ez-Zor departed al-Arisha camp in Hasakah’s southern countryside on Thursday morning, continuing a phased return process supported by humanitarian coordination in northeast Syria.
According to Salwa Jaju, the co-chair of al-Arisha camp administration, 46 families — totaling 193 individuals — left the camp and returned to their areas of origin in Deir ez-Zor and its countryside. The departures took place under the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in coordination with local authorities.
“This is the eighth convoy organized in collaboration with UNHCR and the tenth overall since the start of the return initiative,” Juju told North Press.
Last week, a similar group comprising 52 families — 274 people in total — also returned to Deir ez-Zor, as the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) and humanitarian agencies continue to coordinate voluntary returns for IDPs wishing to resettle in their hometowns.
Al-Arisha camp, located approximately 30 kilometers south of Hasakah city, hosts thousands of individuals displaced by previous rounds of conflict in eastern Syria. Many fled military operations and instability in Deir ez-Zor amid battles involving various factions over the past decade.
The camp, managed by the AANES and supported by international humanitarian organizations, continues to serve as a transitional shelter for families displaced by conflict and insecurity. Local officials have stated that return efforts are contingent upon residents’ requests and their ability to confirm safe conditions in their areas of origin.
While many areas in Deir ez-Zor remain under the influence of different military actors, including Syrian government forces and other armed groups, return operations from AANES-administered camps have focused on civilians whose hometowns are deemed relatively stable.
Humanitarian agencies maintain that all departures from al-Arisha camp are voluntary, following interviews and verification processes conducted in coordination with camp administration and protection units.
The AANES and its security wing, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), continue to facilitate humanitarian access and movement across their territories, emphasizing regional stability and service provision in areas under their administration.
The return process is expected to continue in coming weeks, with more families registered for voluntary repatriation to Deir ez-Zor and neighboring areas, depending on conditions and logistical readiness.