Over One Million Syrians Return Home After Assad’s Overthrow: UN Reports

The United Nations estimates that over a million Syrians have returned to their homes after the ousting of the Bashar al-Assad government. These are composed of 280,000 refugees who returned from other countries and over 800,000 internally displaced individuals. The rebel offensive beginning in December brought an end to decades of rule by Assad, effectively stating the official end of the prolonged civil war, started in 2011.

The war was very destructive, killing over half a million people and displacing millions from their homes. The new leadership made up of Islamist rebels promised to protect the rights of minorities and rebuild the country. However, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has insisted that reconstruction efforts need to pick up speed and strength or else the majority of displaced persons will invariably find themselves leaving home once again.

In mid-February, representatives of 20 countries including Britain,Turkey,France and Japan gathered in Paris to discuss support for Syria’s transition. They pledged to assist the new Syrian government in addressing terrorism and extremism, thereby aiming for peace and recovery.

The present challenge is rebuilding the country and ensuring a stable future for all returning Syrians.

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