Peregraf- Ammar Aziz
Hussein Jambali, a refugee from Syrian Kurdistan—also known as Rojava—currently residing in the Kurdistan Region, has endured severe hardships while living in a refugee camp. For years, he has longed for the liberation of his homeland while sheltering under a tent.
Although Hussein's aspiration for a free Syria has materialized with the fall of the Ba'ath regime, which was led by the Assad family for decades and was responsible for the displacement of millions of Syrians, he remains reluctant to return.
"Security and stability are of paramount importance to us. If a new government is formed that enacts policies in the best interest of the people and guarantees their safety, then refugees will consider returning," Jambali stated. However, uncertainty regarding the current state of affairs in Syria continues to overshadow any assurances.
Having been displaced from his homeland for over a decade, Hussein originates from Derik in Rojava. Due to the outbreak of war and widespread destruction, he sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region and now resides in the Domiz camp in Duhok province. More than 30,000 refugees, including Hussein, currently inhabit the Domiz camps.
"Some families are making preparations to return to the Rojava, yet they await a more stable situation and the establishment of a new government," he explained. However, fears of forced conscription and potential arrests persist among many citizens. "The remnants of the former system are still in place and have not been completely abolished," he added.
Since December 8, 2024, the Syrian government, formerly led by Bashar al-Assad, has collapsed due to the sudden attack of various armed factions. Among these groups are pro-Turkish forces under the leadership of Ahmad al-Shara, operating under the banner of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), also known as the Levant Liberation Committee. In the wake of Assad's fall, a transitional government has been established.
However, the situation in Rojava remains distinct, as self-governing administrations and cantons have been in place for years. The region possesses its own military force, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which has been engaged in conflict for nearly two months against Turkish-backed armed groups that are now aligned with the new Syrian authorities.
The prevailing uncertainty in Syria and Rojava has left many refugees apprehensive, including Salah Mohammed, who has resided in the Darashakran camp in Erbil for several years. "It is true that Bashar al-Assad's government has collapsed, but that does not mean the country is at peace, nor that all refugees will return. The situation will not revert to what it was in 2009 and 2010 anytime soon. There is still a long road ahead, and it is unclear whether conditions will improve or deteriorate," Salah remarked.
Speaking to Peregraf, Salah expressed his reluctance to return, citing continued insecurity. Despite experiencing economic hardship and unemployment in the Kurdistan Region, he emphasized the importance of safety. "Everyone desires to return to their homeland, but the current circumstances are not suitable. Here, we live in peace without major problems. We will only return once we are assured of lasting security and stability," he affirmed.
Syria has been engulfed in war and instability since 2011, forcing millions of its citizens to flee. Many Kurds from Rojava sought refuge in the Kurdistan Region. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Iraq currently hosts approximately 327,000 refugees, 90% of whom are Syrians.
The Kurdistan Region accommodates the largest proportion of these refugees. UN statistics indicate that over 254,000 Syrian refugees reside across Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok provinces, with around 30% living in ten designated refugee camps.
Jiban Haji Yousef, director of the Mahabad Organization for Human Rights in Amuda (Syrian Kurdistan) and Erbil, informed Peregraf that the situation in Syria remains volatile, with no immediate resolution in sight. He noted that the current governing authorities lack the capacity to take decisive steps toward stability. "It is unlikely that there will be adequate conditions for refugees to return in the coming years," he stated.
Furthermore, the ongoing school year in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region has prompted some refugees to postpone their return to prevent their children from disrupting their education, Haji Yousef explained.
In Rojava, tensions remain high due to ongoing threats from Turkey and the Syrian interim government, which aim to seize control of Kurdish-administered territories. Concurrently, negotiations are taking place between Kurdish factions and Syrian authorities, as well as among Kurdish groups that have been engaged in internal conflicts for years.
In a recent attempt at reconciliation, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Massoud Barzani, met with the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), Mazlum Abdi, on January 16, 2025. This meeting followed the visit of Barzani's representative to Rojava and recent discussions among conflicting Kurdish factions. The goal of these efforts is to present a united Kurdish front in negotiations with the new Syrian authorities in Damascus.
Despite its efforts to mediate, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), led by the KDP, currently has no plans to repatriate Rojava refugees to Syria. The financial strain of maintaining refugee services in the Kurdistan Region remains significant, exacerbating the KRG's ongoing economic crisis. The government is struggling to meet its own fiscal obligations, including the timely payment of public sector salaries.
Pir Dian Jaafar, Director of Migration and Crisis Response at the KRG, reiterated the government’s commitment to refugee welfare. Speaking to Peregraf, he stated, "The policy of the Kurdistan Regional Government is not to forcibly repatriate any refugees. They will continue to receive assistance as long as they remain here."
Jaafar further explained that essential services in refugee camps—including healthcare, education, waste management, and utilities—are managed by the Kurdistan Regional Government. Previously, these services were provided in collaboration with humanitarian organizations, but many of these organizations have since withdrawn. "The KRG has taken responsibility for filling this gap, and we will continue to do so until the last refugee remains," he affirmed.
The Kurdistan Region hosts ten refugee camps, five of which are in Duhok, four in Erbil, and one in Sulaymaniyah. Duhok accommodates the largest number of Syrian refugees, followed by Erbil, with a smaller population residing in Sulaymaniyah.
According to Haji Yousef, economic hardships in Syria further deter refugees from returning. Employment opportunities remain scarce, public sector salaries remain unresolved, and basic necessities, including bread, are still inaccessible to many citizens. "It will take at least three years for conditions to improve. If no further deterioration occurs and a stable government is established, refugees may begin to return," he predicted.
For now, refugees in the Kurdistan Region prioritize peace and security before making any decisions about their future. A 2024 UNHCR survey revealed that approximately 93% of Syrian refugees in Iraq do not plan to return within the next 12 months. Of these, 80% cited security concerns, while 70% pointed to a lack of livelihood opportunities as the primary deterrents.
Pir Dian Jaafar confirmed that no families have formally submitted repatriation requests. "If any family wishes to return, we will facilitate all necessary procedures to ensure a safe journey. However, I do not believe that mass returns will occur in the near future, as stability has yet to be restored," he concluded.
In 2024, fewer than 3,000 refugees from the Kurdistan Region returned to Syrian Kurdish territories, including Hasakah and Aleppo, mainly for family reunification or due to the lack of employment opportunities in Iraq, according to UNHCR’s latest report.
Hussein Jambali, who operates a small musical instrument shop in Domiz camp, acknowledges the financial difficulties he faces. However, despite the hardships, he values the relative peace he experiences in the Kurdistan Region. "We discuss the situation in Rojava daily. We all want to return, but only when security and governance are firmly established in the best interests of the people," he concluded.