Millions of Syrian refugees could soon go home. They want to return after former president Bashar al-Assad left the country. He ruled Syria for 24 years. Thousands of refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt are waiting to go home. The U.N. believes there are around 5 million refugees in the Middle East. This includes two million school-aged children. Turkey's president said: "God willing…safe…returns will increase."

Many refugees spoke to journalists. One told the AP news agency: "I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over." He left Syria in 2016, five years after civil war started. Another refugee told reporters he waited for 14 years to return. He said: "We can express ourselves. The country is free. The barriers have been broken down." He was hopeful for the future. He wants Syrians to create a "well-organized" country that takes care of its people.