Challenges Persist in Syria’s Recovery Amid Returnee Needs and Ongoing Human Rights Concerns
A recent report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlights the urgent need for economic opportunities and essential services to support the return of nearly 1.87 million displaced Syrians, Reliefweb.com reported. The Communities of Return Index Report surveyed 1,100 communities, revealing widespread issues such as unreliable access to electricity, clean water, healthcare, and slow shelter reconstruction. Many returnees also face difficulties due to gaps in civil documentation, which limit access to services and property rights. Agricultural activity and local markets remain weak, hampering livelihoods and long-term reintegration.
Since January 2024, IOM has recorded over 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning home and nearly 730,000 arrivals from abroad. The number of IDPs slightly decreased to 6.6 million in April 2025. IOM’s renewed presence in Damascus aims to address immediate humanitarian needs while promoting peaceful, voluntary, and sustainable returns, including shelter rehabilitation and expanding property records to resolve disputes.
However, the recovery effort faces significant challenges from ongoing security and human rights issues in northern Syria. A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report details continued detention, extortion, and abuses by Syrian National Army (SNA) factions, despite a recent decline in arrests. These militias, some with commanders accused of serious abuses—including torture, arbitrary arrests, and forced displacement—are being integrated into Syria’s official military structure under the transitional government. HRW warns this integration risks legitimizing perpetrators and calls for accountability and exclusion of abusive commanders.
The report highlights abuses targeting Kurdish populations and those linked to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with Turkey’s ongoing support to SNA factions implicated in these violations. Since Turkey and allied militias took control of Afrin in 2018, widespread violations such as kidnappings and extortion of Kurdish farmers have been documented. Despite a recent agreement between HTS-led transitional authorities and the SDF to integrate forces and facilitate displaced persons’ return, many Kurds and Yazidis remain fearful of returning due to militia presence.
Human rights advocates urge the transitional government to unify military command under civilian oversight, investigate abuses, release detainees, and ensure legal protections. They also call on Turkey to suspend support for abusive militias and for the international community to assist in protecting civilians and supporting an independent judiciary.
