As the attacks launched by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and Turkey-backed paramilitary groups in Syria on 26 November continue, the people of the region are once again on migration routes. Commenting on the wave of migration in the context of the developments in Syria, Samer Abdel Jaber, Director of Emergency Situations Coordination of the World Food Programme (WFP), stated that 280 thousand people were displaced after the attacks. Abdel Jaber emphasised if the situation continues, they expect approximately 1.5 million people to be displaced and in need of support. 

 

According to official data, more than 3 million 700 thousand people migrated to Turkey during the Syrian civil war that started in 2011. Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya stated on 20 November that 114,83 Syrians returned to their country in 2024. 

 

Peace Academician and Ege University Faculty Member Dr. Lülüfer Körükmez, who studies on migration, made evaluations on the new wave of migration in Syria. 

 

Lülüfer Körükmez said that there is not enough information about the conditions under which the returns to Syria were made in the statement made by the Ministry and that there are serious doubts about ‘voluntary, safe and honourable’ returns. The right to life of the returnees was violated said Lülüfer Körükmez and added: ‘We think that the returns are not as honourable and safe as the official actors say. The statements made about the number of Syrians do not show us the real picture. There is no information on where the returning Syrians are settled and how their security is ensured. The conflict in Syria is still going on and we do not know where these refugees are going.’ 

 

TURKEY'S REFUGEE POLICY

 

Lülüfer Körükmez pointed out that the number of safe areas where people living in conflict zones can go is small and said: ‘We will see where the people of the region will be in the following period. Although the government has discourses such as ‘embracing’ immigrants, we know that it applies strict policies towards immigrants and refugees. After Ali Yerlikaya became the Minister of Interior, we also know that the number of deportations is very high and immigrants do not benefit from certain rights. Therefore, we do not have any clues that the government will soften towards migrants and refugees. Europe will continue to keep migrants from other countries like Turkey outside the borders of Europe. We do not expect Europe to say ‘we will accept refugees’ with a new war.’ 

 

‘WE NEED TO FIND SOLUTIONS’

 

Lülüfer Körükmez stated that migration is now a global problem due to many reasons such as the climate crisis as well as global conflicts and war environments, and said: ‘We need to accept the normality of migration and find solutions worthy of human dignity. This is not only Turkey's problem. It should be the problem of the world. Non-governmental organisations and rights defenders have been doing their best for migrants in a wide range of fields for years. However, with the restriction of freedoms in Turkey, it is becoming difficult to advocate for the rights of migrants and refugees.’