UN expects one million Syrians to return in six months as Turkey urges EU to support refugees

A UN refugee agency official said on Tuesday that around one million Syrian refugees are expected to return to the country during the first six months of 2025 and urged nations to refrain from enforcing forced returns.

"Now, we have forecasted that we hope to see somewhere in the order of one million Syrians returning between January and June next year, so we shared this plan with donors, asking for their support," said Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR director for the Middle East and North Africa.

Imseis said that thousands of people fled Syria this month as rebels seized power from President Bashar al-Assad, while thousands returned to the country, mainly from Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that he expected the European Union to support efforts to facilitate the return of Syrians who fled during the country’s 13-year civil war.