ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - More than 800 Kurdish families who fled the Kurdish city of Afrin in northwestern Syria’s Aleppo province are returning to their homes after years of displacement, according to media outlets affiliated with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), as the landmark January agreement between the Kurdish-led forces and the Damascus government continues to be gradually implemented.
Hawar News Agency (ANHA), an SDF media affiliate, relayed that “the return of over 800 families” marks “the third wave” following the return of 400 families and 200 others” on March 9 and April 4, respectively.
Families in Afrin have faced repeated waves of displacement since first fleeing in 2018 during a Turkish-backed offensive on the Kurdish city. They were forced to flee again in 2024 amid the fall of the long-standing Assad regime, and once more this year following renewed clashes between the interim authorities and Kurdish forces in northern and northeastern Syria (Rojava).
In mid-January, the Syrian Arab Army and affiliated armed groups launched a major offensive into areas held by the SDF. The operation led to the gradual withdrawal of Kurdish-led forces from territories in eastern Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, as well as the Kurdish-majority Hasaka province.
After weeks of fighting, an internationally brokered agreement between the SDF and Damascus was signed in late January. One of the key clauses of the deal was the return of displaced persons, including those to Afrin.
After eight years and two months - time that Haji Tari counted down to the day and hour - the long-awaited journey back to Afrin has finally begun.
The man in his fifties, dressed in traditional Kurdish clothing, is among thousands of displaced people who set off on Tuesday as part of the third convoy returning to their homes.
Tari, a displaced resident of Afrin, told Rudaw: “Our people have found no peace of mind, neither here nor in Europe. We are happy, and God willing, all our people will return to Afrin in safety and well-being.”
The joy of return was unmistakable on the faces of those making the journey.