Hundreds of Syrians start returning from Turkey after Assad falls

Hundreds of Syrian refugees gather at two border crossings in southern Turkey, eagerly anticipating their return home, following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government.

Many arrived at the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar border gates at daybreak, draped in blankets and coats. Some camped by the barriers of the border crossing, warming themselves with makeshift fires or resting on the cold ground. The border crossings correspond to the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salameh gates on the Syrian side of the border.

Among those waiting at Cilvegozu was 28-year-old Muhammed Zin who voiced excitement at the prospect of returning to his homeland. He fled Damascus in 2016 and has been living and working in Istanbul.

Syrians returning home from Turkey. pic.twitter.com/TywIQlIBXu

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“Assad was shooting us, killing us,” he tells the Associated Press. “I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over,” he says.

Seer Ali, 18, who left Damascus six years ago, had been working in the nearby city of Gaziantep to support his mother and siblings back home.

“We are very happy, very happy. Not just me, but everyone, all of us Syrians here are very happy,” he said. “Everyone will return, no one will stay here. They will all go to their families.”

Hundreds of displaced Syrians were also returning Monday to Syria from Lebanon, with dozens of cars lining up to enter. The day before, Lebanese residents handed out congratulatory sweets to Syrians waiting to go back to their country.