Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media, citing the occupation army: We tried to "eliminate" Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida
Al-Mashat: I call on everyone worldwide to avoid dealing with any assets of the entity, and there is still an opportunity for settlers to return to their countries
Al-Mashat: A final warning to all companies in the occupation entity to leave before it’s too late
The Israeli occupation army carries out a deadly airstrike on a populated residential building in the densely populated al-Rimal neighborhood, west of Gaza City, resulting in dozens of fatalities and injuries: Al Mayadeen's correspondent
Al-Mashat: We say to Gaza, we stand firm regarding our stance, no matter the sacrifices
Al-Mashat: We will meet challenge with challenge, and you will no longer have any sense of security
Al-Mashat: We say to the Zionists, our revenge is unyielding, and dark days await you
Al-Mashat: We will take revenge, and we will come out victorious from the depths of our wounds
Al-Mashat: Our people are capable of overcoming all difficulties and challenges, and the enemy will not be able to break our steadfastness, nor will we be intimidated by raids or terrified by threats
President of the Yemeni Supreme Political Council Mahdi al-Mashat: The Government of Change and Building will carry out its duties in a caretaker capacity, and the blood of the martyrs will serve as a motivation for steadfastness and reconstruction

500,000 Syrian refugees return since regime change

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 May 2025 22:40
3 Min Read

The UNHCR says 500,000 refugees have returned to Syria since December 2024, with Trump’s pledge to lift sanctions expected to ease conditions for more returns.

Listen
  • x
  • 500,000 Syrian refugees return since regime change
    A Syrian man carries his belongings as he walks on a street in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

The head of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) mission in Syria, Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, announced that approximately half a million Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland since the fall of the previous regime on December 8, 2024.

In an interview with Syria’s state-run news agency SANA on Thursday, Vargas Llosa welcomed US President Donald Trump’s pledge to lift sanctions on Syria, saying the move would "contribute to improving humanitarian conditions and facilitate the return of more refugees."

He emphasized that many refugees and internally displaced persons have expressed a desire to return to their homes now that the main reason for their displacement has been removed. He added that the majority of those who have returned so far came from neighboring countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq, and Egypt.

“The biggest challenge facing refugee returns today is the economic situation,” Vargas Llosa said, citing the extensive destruction across all sectors of Syrian life during the past 14 years of conflict.

US starts lifting sanctions

The US Department of the Treasury has officially begun the process of lifting sanctions on Syria, marking a significant shift in US foreign policy.

Related News

Israeli forces push into northwestern countryside of Syria's Quneitra

Illusioned are those who think Hezbollah is weakened: Israeli colonel

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the move on social media, stating that this decision is intended to stabilize Syria and support its journey toward peace.

“The Treasury Department is moving to provide sanctions relief to stabilize and move Syria towards peace,” Bessent wrote on X, confirming the department’s intentions.

This marks a change from previous US policies that imposed strict sanctions on Syria under former President Bashar al-Assad.

The sanctions relief comes at a time when Syria is struggling with a prolonged conflict that has caused immense destruction and suffering. This decision comes amid growing international discussions on how to bring an end to the conflict, which has lasted for more than a decade.

Trump’s announcement in Saudi Arabia

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump, during his visit to Saudi Arabia, publicly announced that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria, a decision made at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

This announcement came just before the US-Gulf summit held in Riyadh, signaling a shift in US policy toward Syria and the broader Middle East. Trump had previously expressed concerns over the lack of progress in Syria's peace process, but this move is seen as a step toward facilitating dialogue and improving regional stability.

Trump’s talks with Syria’s interim President, Ahmad al-Sharaa, prior to the summit, marked a critical moment in US-Syria relations. The discussions focused on Syria’s future and the importance of international cooperation in rebuilding the country.

With the backing of Saudi Arabia, one of the most influential countries in the region, this move could help bring Syria back into the fold of regional politics, after years of isolation.

  • Syria
  • Bashar al-Assad
  • Ahmad al-Sharaa
  • Damascus
  • United Nations
  • UNHCR

Most Read

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in Gaza Strip

Fierce resistance ambushes target IOF in al-Zaytoun, Gaza City

  • Politics
  • 30 Aug 2025
Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks (Photo by Mahdi Rtail)

Tom Barrack's imperial tantrum in Beirut: When entitlement speaks

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025
Although it does seem likely they will launch some kind of operation in northern Gaza, one which will accelerate its mass murder of civilians, but will fail to achieve its stated objectives. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Here is why the Israeli occupation of Gaza won’t work

  • Opinion
  • 26 Aug 2025
A scene showing an al-Qassam Brigades fighter during an ambush on July 7, 2025, in a video released by the al-Qassam Brigades on August 26, 2025 (al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

Al-Qassam reveals Beit Hanoun ambush targeting Israeli forces

  • Politics
  • 26 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The martyred Prime Minister Ahmad Ghaleb al Rahawi, in an undated photo, Yemen (social media)
Politics

Yemen mourns Prime Minister, ministers killed in Israeli aggression

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, greets Argentina's President Javier Milei in the Israelه parliament, in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Wednesday, June 11, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Human rights lawyers seek Netanyahu's arrest in Argentina

Radiographer Coralie Gil prepares to enter the room of a COVID-19 patient in the COVID-19 continued care unit at the la Timone hospital in Marseille, southern France, Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 (AP)
Health

French hospitals urged by MoH to prepare for war by March 2026

US Demoratic senators demand baby formula be sent to Gaza
US & Canada

US senators demand 'massive surge' of baby formula for Gaza infants

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS