Official announcements from the Turkish government or Interior Ministry

Turkey Boosts Border Capacity to 15,000-20,000 for Syrian Refugees' Voluntary Return

Dec 10, 2024, 09:14 AM

Turkey's Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has announced significant changes in the voluntary return of Syrian refugees from Turkey to Syria. The daily capacity for border crossings has been increased from 3,000 to between 15,000 and 20,000 individuals. This adjustment comes as part of efforts to facilitate the return of Syrians to their homeland. According to Yerlikaya, the number of voluntary returns has doubled in the first half of the day, with an average of 11,000 Syrians returning monthly in 2024, now increasing to 1.5 to 2 times that number. The process will involve a registration system to manage the returns, and further details on additional facilitations will be announced after consultations with Syrian NGOs.