Perilous Returns: Syrian Refugees Face New Dangers

Perilous Returns: Syrian Refugees Face New Dangers

Umm Hadi's story highlights the ongoing plight of Syrian refugees as they attempt to return home amidst escalating violence. After 12 years of separation from her elder son, who was detained by Syrian soldiers, she now faces the same fate for her younger son, Hadi. He was arrested while trying to escape Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon and cross back into Syria. Living in a refugee camp in opposition-controlled north-west Syria, Umm Hadi is left in despair, fearing for her son's life and the possibility of losing him to the regime, just as she lost his brother.

The recent surge in Israeli airstrikes has forced an estimated 425,000 refugees, primarily women and children, to return to Syria, reversing the flow of refugees that had been ongoing since the civil war began in 2011. Many of these returnees are Syrians who had sought refuge in Lebanon, but the journey back is fraught with danger. Reports indicate that at border crossings, returning refugees face a range of threats, including disappearances, interrogations, and harassment by government forces.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights has documented numerous cases of refugees being arrested during their attempts to navigate through regime territory. Many returning Syrians are caught in a dilemma, as they are either too afraid of the regime's retribution or have nothing left to return to in their home areas. This has led to a desperate search for safety in opposition-controlled regions, where they hope to find refuge from the regime's oppressive grip.

The experiences of individuals like Asriya Awad, who endured a gruelling 10-day journey back to Syria, illustrate the harsh realities faced by returning refugees. Asriya and her family left Lebanon with nothing but clothes on their backs, only to encounter violence and extortion at the border. Her family members were detained, and they had to pay for their release, underscoring the perilous conditions that characterize the return journey for many Syrian refugees.

Struggles of Refugees in Syria

Farid Suleiman and his family faced a harrowing journey from Lebanon to Syria, driven by desperation and the need to escape the dangers of their current situation. After surviving bombings in Lebanon, they attempted to cross the Masnaa border but were met with violence from guards due to missing paperwork, which had been destroyed in an Israeli attack. Forced to rely on smugglers, they encountered further peril when the road they travelled was bombed, narrowly avoiding tragedy as glass shattered around them.

Upon finally entering Syria, Farid was arrested at a checkpoint, only to be released after his wife, Haifaa Salal, had to give up her jewellery. The couple expressed their fears about the dangers of travelling through checkpoints, particularly for women, who faced the risk of being taken away by soldiers. Their experience highlights the intimidation and exploitation that refugees endure during their attempts to find safety.

Despite reaching Syria, the situation for returning refugees is dire. The UN reports that a significant portion of the population in northwest Syria relies on humanitarian aid, with many living in camps and temporary settlements. The ongoing humanitarian crisis is exacerbated by years of conflict, economic instability, and the destruction of infrastructure, leaving many families without basic necessities.

Farid's family, like many others, is left without a home or resources, facing an uncertain future. He cannot return to his village due to the threat of military conscription, and he voices the despair of having no shelter, food, or clothing. The plight of these refugees underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those fleeing conflict, as their struggles continue even after crossing borders.