Syrian Kurds Reclaim Homes in Afrin After Years Away

A significant demographic shift is currently underway in northwestern Syria, where Kurdish families originally displaced seven years ago are finally making their way back to their properties. According to reporting by Crimson Reporters, the coastal and northern region is witnessing emotional homecomings as rightful owners reclaim domestic spaces left behind during previous military campaigns.

The journey back has been arduous for many residents who endured years of wandering through different provinces. For individuals like Dilshad Hamdo, stepping across the threshold of a residence constructed by his father decades ago brought an overwhelming mixture of nostalgia and sorrow. Although the masonry remained standing, the interior chambers had been completely stripped of furnishings.

“I have a lot of memories in this house with my extended family. There is nothing like the house and the land,” Hamdo told Crimson Reporters, expressing the deep psychological attachment displaced populations maintain toward their native soil.

The Roots of Mass Displacement

The original uprooting occurred in early 2018 amid a major military initiative launched by Turkey. Designated as Operation Olive Branch, the offensive targeted the Kurdish-dominated People’s Protection Units, which formed a core component of the Syrian Democratic Forces operating in the enclave.

The resulting turmoil forced tens of thousands of Kurdish inhabitants to abandon their properties and seek refuge elsewhere. As these domestic spaces sat empty, they were rapidly occupied by secondary waves of displaced individuals—predominantly Arab civilians fleeing heavy governmental artillery barrages directed at opposition strongholds in Damascus and Homs.

For the Hamdo household, exile meant a prolonged eastward migration. Their journey of displacement traversed several cities before concluding inside a designated camp for displaced persons located in Qamishli.

A Shift in National Governance

The political landscape experienced a dramatic transformation following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s administration in December 2024. In the wake of this monumental political upheaval, the newly established transitional administration in Syria committed to organizing and facilitating safe corridors for the repatriation of those driven out of Afrin years prior.

Operational support from internal security details enabled hundreds of Syrian Kurdish households to travel securely from Hasakah back toward Afrin throughout the months of April and May.

Prior to his family’s physical relocation, Hamdo’s father journeyed ahead to inspect the family estate, discovering a displaced household from Homs residing inside the rooms.

Peaceful Resolutions and Future Outlook

Rather than escalating into hostility, the delicate interaction between the incoming owners and the current occupants culminated in a practical, amicable settlement. The parties engaged in direct discussions regarding timelines and departure logistics.

“The people who were living in our house asked for a period of several months until they left. After several months, we paid them 300 American dollars so they would leave the house, travel money so they could return to Homs, and we got our house,” Hamdo explained.

The returnees emphasize that their motivations are rooted purely in the desire to reclaim their heritage rather than stoke ethnic divisions. Summarizing the sentiment of returning families, Hamdo noted: “After Syria was liberated, we wanted to return to our land. We do not see any distinction between the Arab and the Kurd.”

• Displaced Syrian Kurds are returning to Afrin after fleeing the 2018 military offensive.
• Transitional authorities are actively facilitating the safe return of these families.
• Many returning families negotiate peaceful departures with occupants who moved in during the war.