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Millions of Syrian refugees ready to go home

Syrian refugees - Level 0

Millions of Syrian refugees want to go home. They feel it is safe after Bashir al-Assad left the country. There are thousands of refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and other countries waiting to return. The U.N. says there are 5 million refugees in the Middle East. This includes two million school-aged children.

Many refugees spoke to journalists. One said: "I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over." Another refugee said he waited for 14 years to return. He said: "The country is free. The barriers have been broken down." He wants Syrians to create a "well-organized" country that looks after its people.

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Syrian refugees - Level 1

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.

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Syrian refugees - Level 2

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Millions of Syrian refugees could soon go home. They want to return after the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria for 24 years. Rebels took control of parts of Syria on Friday. Thousands of refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt want to go back to their hometowns. The U.N. believes there are around 5 million refugees in the Middle East. This includes two million school-aged children. Another 1.3 million refugees are in other countries, mostly in Europe. Turkey's president said: "God willing, voluntary, safe…returns will increase."

Many refugees have spoken to journalists. Muhammed Zin, 28, told the AP news agency: "Assad was…killing us. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over." He left Syria in 2016, five years after civil war broke out. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters he has waited for 14 years to return. He said: "We feel…we can express ourselves. The country is free, and the barriers have been broken down." He was hopeful for the future. He added: "Syrians have to create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's a new phase."

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Syrian refugees - Level 3

Millions of Syrian refugees could soon go home. They are waiting to see what happens in Syria following the fall of the country's former president Bashar al-Assad. He ruled Syria with an iron fist for 24 years. After rebels took control of parts of Syria on the 6th of December, thousands of refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Egypt started returning to their hometowns. The United Nations believes there are close to 5 million refugees in countries that border Syria. Of these, two million are school-aged children. An 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 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 in 2016, five years after Syria's civil war broke out in 2011. Another returnee, Malak Matar, told reporters: "This is a feeling we've been waiting 14 years for. We feel psychologically free, we can express ourselves. The country is free, and the barriers have been broken down." He was hopeful for the future. He added: "Syrians have to create a country that is well organized and takes care of its people. It's a new phase."

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