This brief draws on the June 2025 wave of the enhanced Refugee Perceptions and Intentions to Return to Syria Survey (eRPIS), conducted by phone with 6,316 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt between 25 May and 5 July 2025, representing ~782,000 Syrian refugee households.
During the reporting period, the security in Syria has deteriorated. As of mid-July 2025, As-Sweida has experienced a sharp escalation in sectarian violence; and IDF has launched several airstrikes, not only in the southern governorates, but also at the Syrian Defense Ministry and near the presidential palace in Damascus.
In recent years, the Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR) has documented a rise in the number of forced returns of Syrian refugees to Syria. Refugees are often deported from host countries without prior warning, legal procedures, or an opportunity to legally challenge the decision.
As of 15 May 2025, UNHCR estimates that over half a million – 501,126 – Syrians have crossed back to Syria via neighboring countries since 8 December 2024. This brings up the total of 861,966 Syrian individuals that have returned to Syria since the beginning of 2024.
As of 8 May 2025, UNHCR estimates that some 481,730 Syrians have crossed back to Syria via neighboring countries since 8 December 2024. This brings up the total of over 842,570 Syrian individuals that have returned to Syria since the beginning of 2024.
This map is prepared using data from population movement reporting and border monitoring tool. It also includes the movements of Syrians who returned from Lebanon to Syria under duress following the escalation of hostilities on 23 September 2024, primarily through the border crossing points of Jdaidat Yabous, Al-Dabousiah, and Jousieh.
As of 3 April 2025, UNHCR estimates that some 372,550 Syrians have crossed back to Syria via neighboring countries since 8 December 2024. This figure is calculated based on a triangulation of data from Syria, Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt and beyond.
As of February 13th, UNHCR estimates that approximately 279,620 Syrians have returned to Syria since December 8th, 2024. The figures derive from the triangulation of sources both inside and outside Syria, including UNHCR offices and Government sources in Türkiye, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt.
The overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024 has created a historic opportunity to advance justice and the rule of law, ensuring accountability for years of atrocity crimes and implementing governance, judicial, and security sector reforms that protect and fulfil civil, political, and socio-economic rights.
Wrapping up a visit to Syria on Monday, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, appealed to the international community for bold and decisive action to help Syrians rebuild their war-torn country and support displaced Syrians in returning home.
Since October 7, 2023, hostilities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank have escalated to unprecedented levels, resulting in immense humanitarian needs in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt).
From 08 and 09 December, the ETC paused all activities to concentrate on staff safety, relocation, and business continuity―following the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s administration, on 08 December, which escalated the security situation across Syria.
UNHCR is engaging with thousands of refugees in neighboring countries, often with daily contact through helplines, surveys, focus group discussions, and other communications channels, listening to their concerns, providing up-to-date information, and understanding their perceptions and intentions around return.
Over the past 14 years, more than 13 million Syrians have been forced to flee their homes, and 90% of people inside Syria require some form of humanitarian assistance. The recent developments across Syria will impact millions of people’s lives both inside the country and within the region.
Over the past 14 months, more than 44,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed in Gaza. Nearly all of Gaza’s residents have been displaced — many multiple times.
