Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said around 723,000 Syrians have returned to Syria since December 8, 2024, adding that about 1.5 million Syrians have returned to the country over the past ten years.

Çiftçi said the pace of returns accelerated after the fall of the Assad regime, explaining that 723,000 people had returned since that date voluntarily, safely, and with dignity.

He added that the number of foreigners currently residing legally in Turkey stands at around 3.62 million, including approximately 2.23 million Syrians.

The minister said Turkey is focusing on addressing irregular migration at its source and preventing irregular migrants from entering the country by strengthening physical and security measures along the border.

He explained that the goal is to prevent irregular migrants from entering Turkey or, if they do enter, to limit their ability to work and find shelter. He said preventing the entry of unregistered or individuals is part of the country’s security policy.

Turkey’s ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yılmaz, said the Turkish Foreign Ministry is currently working to facilitate visas for Syrians who have returned to Syria and wish to travel back to Turkey, under the supervision of the Turkish foreign and interior ministers.

Yılmaz added that Ankara wants to facilitate the process as much as possible, saying relations between Turkey and Syria are moving toward a strategic level.

Turkey Develops New Roadmap for Syrian Returns

Turkey is working with the International Organization for Migration, IOM, to develop a new roadmap for the voluntary return of Syrians.

The program aims to move beyond a concept of return that ends at border crossings and instead cover integrated stages designed to support returnees both before their departure and after their arrival in Syria.

Under the new program, Syrians wishing to return will receive a range of services, including travel documents, healthcare, and transportation by land and air, as well as support and information before their return.

The program will also include receiving returnees upon their arrival in Syria and arranging transportation to their destination cities, in addition to following up on their circumstances and monitoring their integration and adjustment to living conditions after returning.

Priorities for cooperation between Turkey’s Interior Ministry and the IOM include strengthening the capacity of border crossings and addressing issues related to identity, population registration, and property deeds.

Technical coordination will also be strengthened between Turkey’s migration authorities, the relevant institutions in Syria, and the IOM to accelerate identity verification procedures, issue travel documents, and facilitate returns.

In the new phase, the program focuses on enabling returning Syrians to build stable and sustainable lives in Syria by supporting access to basic services, vocational training, employment opportunities, and livelihoods, helping improve their ability to settle after returning.

Erdoğan Visit to Damascus Confirmed

Ambassador Nuh Yılmaz said Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had been planning to visit Damascus around April 21, but the outbreak of the Israeli-Iranian war and the closure of airspace prevented the visit from taking place.

According to Yılmaz, Erdoğan will visit Damascus. He said setting the date is not within his authority and that the Turkish presidency will announce the visit once planning is complete.

The ambassador described Turkish-Syrian relations as “excellent,” noting that the Turkish Embassy in Damascus has more diplomats than any other Turkish embassy worldwide, reflecting the importance Ankara attaches to relations between the two countries, according to an interview with the Syria Now platform.

Yılmaz said Turkish-Syrian relations are entering a new phase of strategic cooperation, noting that committees have been formed to follow up on shared issues. He added that Ankara aims to build the strongest framework for relations in the region over the next 50 years as part of a strategic approach.