An unexpected welcome: Syrian Kurds return to their homes in Afrin

Dilshad Hamdo returned to his home in Afrin, built 30 years ago, after fleeing during Turkey's military offensive in 2018. The city, previously Kurdish-majority, was occupied by other displaced Syrians. Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, Syria's transitional government announced plans to facilitate the safe return of Kurdish families, with security forces assisting the process. Hundreds of Kurdish families were brought back from Hasakah to Afrin in April and May.