Mon Dec 08 07:25:39 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:
Syria Sees Return of Millions After Assad’s Fall, But Challenges Remain
Damascus – One year after the removal of the al-Assad dynasty, Syria is witnessing a significant return of its displaced population. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), approximately 780,000 Syrian refugees have returned from abroad, alongside nearly 1.8 million internally displaced people, totaling 2.6 million returnees.
Many Syrians, like Khalid al-Shatta, who fled to Turkey in 2012, made the decision to return immediately after the fall of al-Assad, eager to rebuild their lives and contribute to the nation’s future. Some returnees like Talal Nader al-Abdo who was internally displaced is happy to be home after years of hardship.
However, despite the hope and enthusiasm, significant challenges remain. While there are job opportunities, salaries are low and often insufficient to meet the high cost of living in Syria. Housing remains a major obstacle, with many returnees facing damaged homes or unaffordable rental prices.
The number of asylum applications to European countries has decreased in the past year, after the fall of al-Assad, with some countries halting applications entirely. The EU has also updated guidance for asylum applicants, stating that opponents of al-Assad and military service evaders are no longer at risk of persecution.
While the return of millions signals a new chapter for Syria, the country still grapples with a large internally displaced population (over 6 million), highlighting the long road to recovery and the need for sustained support.
First Piper 