Syrian refugees consider returning home after Assad's fall but face tough choices

The fall of Bashar Assad's regime in late 2024 has prompted a significant number of Syrian refugees to consider returning home. In the month following Assad's ousting, around 125,000 Syrians returned, primarily from Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon. Despite this development, many refugees face challenges in deciding to return. Concerns about the transitional government's stability, economic conditions, and property restitution complicate their choices. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Syria, with millions in need of assistance, adds to the uncertainty. In Europe, the status of many Syrian refugees is now at risk, as at least 12 countries have suspended asylum applications. Meanwhile, conditions for Syrians in Turkey and Lebanon remain difficult, with pressures to return intensifying amid economic hardships and legal challenges.