Many are returning home again – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

news is in the border town of Kilis in Turkey. An unexpected and strange optimism is in the air after rebels succeeded in overthrowing the regime in Syria last week. Syrian refugees have packed clothes, toys and memories from a decade in Turkey, and are ready to travel across the border to the old country. Minibuses and trucks are filled with expectant children, and equally excited adults. A man has packed everything he owns, ready to leave Turkey. Photo: Mohammed Alayoubi / news During the civil war, 400,000 Syrians were born in the neighboring country. Many will now meet family members they have only spoken to on the phone for the first time. – The plan is to rent a house. Now our country is free, says a father to news. His children were born in Turkey. Now he is happy to show them their country. The sisters Rawan (8) and Iman (7) were born in Turkey, but are happy to travel to Syria, the country they call home. Photo: Mohammed Alayoubi / news When news was in Kilis in 2012, the Syrians came in droves. They left behind a bloody civil war and President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. During the war, a total of three million Syrian refugees have arrived in Turkey. This week, thousands of them travel through Kilis once again. But this time they are going the opposite way. They are going home. Some talk about the hopes they have for the “new Syria” without Assad, while others will talk about difficult years as a refugee and feeling like second-class citizens in a foreign country. “No way back” But leaving Turkey is not just easy. As they cross the border, they lose their residence permit in the neighboring country. And it is uncertain exactly where they are traveling to. Syria has been devastated after 13 years of war, and on top of that an earthquake last year that left over five million homeless. It is estimated that Syria will need billions of dollars to rebuild the country. Many celebrate the fall of the regime in Damascus. A girl holds up the Syrian opposition flag, which has been declared Syria’s new national flag. Photo: Omar Haj Kadour / AFP Syria faces a number of problems and challenges. Institutions must be established and infrastructure built. Warring groups must cooperate. – We have lost many, but now we must go home and rebuild the country, tells a man news meets at the border. Syrian refugees in Turkey have packed up their valuables and set off for the border with Syria, ready for a new life. Photo: Mohammed Alayoubi / news Family reunions Family members who have been separated for over a decade are to be reunited. 11-year-old Nour is one of those who were looking forward to crossing the border on Tuesday. Her father is in Aleppo waiting for her and her mother. They have not seen each other for many years. – Do you think about him? – He had lost his hair, she says, and adds that that is all she remembers. That is why the disappointment was great when the Turkish border guards refused Nour and her mother. Although Turkey has arranged for Syrians to quickly return to their homeland, the paperwork must be in order. Nour and her mother are missing some important papers, and are told that they must travel back to Istanbul and collect them. The tears press on, and the longing for dad suddenly became even greater. Published 11.12.2024, at 08.45



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