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