Some 1,300 Kurdish families return to Syria's Afrin, face occupied homes, threats

The long-term displacement of Kurds from Afrin ends with a convoy of 1,300 families. But many houses remain occupied.

Publication Date: July 21, 2026 — 12:32 PM

The first families had already returned to Afrin in March. Photo: Delil Souleiman / AFP

By Julia Neumann, Beirut

With tears in their eyes, mattresses on the car roof, and an olive branch in hand, the last displaced people have returned to Afrin. Around 1,300 families reached their homeland on Thursday in a convoy from Hasakeh. The local authorities coordinated with relevant institutions to organize the convoy, according to Mohammad al-Hassan, head of the press office of Afrin.

On Friday, the committee for organizing the return announced its dissolution. This officially ends the long, violent displacement of Kurds from the Kurdish-majority canton of Afrin, located north of Aleppo.

Background of the Displacement

Turkey occupied the Kurdish self-governing canton of Afrin in 2018, in violation of international law, with the support of the Syrian National Army (SNA), a rebel group it backs. During "Operation Olive Branch," the Turkish military also used Leopard 2 tanks of German production.

Throughout northern Syria, since the Turkish military offensive — dubbed "Operation Peace Spring" — in October 2019, bombs and drone attacks have become part of daily life. The SNA confiscated properties and denied displaced Kurds the right to return to their homeland.

The Fear Remains

After the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, attacks by troops of the new transitional government targeted the Kurdish community, and clashes erupted with the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). On January 29, 2026, both sides agreed to the military and political integration of the Kurdish self-administration into the Syrian state. SDF fighters were to be placed under the new Ministry of Defense.

While many returnees are now repairing their damaged houses, others face significant problems. In a joint letter to UN Special Rapporteurs, the organizations Syrians For Truth and Justice, Dar Association for Victims of Forced Displacement, and PÊL – Civil Waves wrote:

"The mere fact that some individuals are able to temporarily enter the city does not mean that conditions for a safe, voluntary, and dignified return exist."

Access to home, land, or business remains fraught with fear, extortion, discrimination, and a lack of legal remedy.

Ongoing Obstacles

Returnees reported death threats or attacks against those who tried to check on their property. Both local security forces and Turkish groups prevented returns. Houses, businesses, and properties remained confiscated. Checkpoints continue to exist. Victims have no authority to turn to in order to assert their property rights.

Resident Speaks of "Cosmetic Change"

Speaking to the organizations, a resident described the situation as a "cosmetic change." Military factions previously affiliated with the SNA had announced their integration into the new Syrian army, but their commanders and fighters remained in place. The municipal council had not been replaced, and the "alleged subordination to Damascus" does not correspond to local reality.

In the village of Sheikhourzeh al-Fawqaniyah, the Turkish army continues to maintain a military base and prevents residents from returning to their homes, according to the Kurdish Hawar News Agency.