Millions of Syrian refugees could soon go home. They are waiting to see what happens in Syria following fall of country's former president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria with iron fist for 24 years. After rebels took control of parts of Syria on 6th of December, thousands of refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt started returning to their hometowns. United Nations believes there are close to 5 million refugees in countries that border Syria. Of these, two million are school-aged children. additional 1.3 million refugees are living in other countries, mostly in Europe. Turkey's president said: "As Syria gains more stability, God willing, voluntary, safe…returns will increase."
Many of returning refugees have spoken to journalists. Muhammed Zin, 28, told Associated Press news agency: "Assad was shooting us, killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, war is over." He fled capital Damascus in 2016, five years after Syria's civil war broke out in 2011. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters: "This is feeling we've been waiting 14 years for. We feel psychologically free, we can express ourselves. country is free, and barriers have been broken down." He was hopeful for future. He added: "Syrians have to create country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's new phase."
