The Afrin Social Association and the Council of Displaced Persons from Afrin and Shehba made a statement in the city of Qamishlo regarding the safe return of people from Afrin who were forcibly displaced from their homes due to the war. Accordingly, IDPs from Afrin are expected to return to their places of origin in the near future on the basis of the agreement signed on 29 January between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian transitional government.
Ibrahim Heftaro, an official of the Social Association, stated that since the beginning of the displacements, the involved structures have been working on establishing conditions for a safe return. Following the signing of the agreement with Damascus, preparations were initiated on the basis of the return clause stipulated therein. The first transfers are scheduled to begin today.
Heftaro stated that prior to the start of the process, consultations had been held with the Council of Displaced Persons, representatives of the United Nations, and the Syrian transitional government. The aim, he said, is to facilitate the return of a large number of IDPs in the long term. However, due to winter conditions and in order to avoid additional hardship, the return is to take place gradually. In the first phase, around 400 to 500 families are expected to return.
Hêmin Kurdaxî, representing an alliance of civil society organizations in Europe involved in the return preparations, said that practical planning has been underway for about two weeks. According to him, the first phase is regionally divided: 150 families are to return to Jindires, 150 families to Mabeta, and 100 families to Shiye. The participating bodies emphasized that the return is to be carried out in cooperation with the relevant authorities in Damascus and under international supervision to ensure the safety and proper implementation of the return process.
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