Syria’s Post‑Conflict Turnaround: Return of Millions and Rebuilding of State Institutions

According to the Syrian president’s address to the UN General Assembly, more than 3.5 million Syrians who had fled the country have now returned voluntarily and with dignity. The returnees include both internally displaced persons and refugees who have chosen to go back to their former homes across the north‑south span of the nation. Officials describe the influx as turning Syria from a “crisis” into an “opportunity” for reconstruction and social cohesion. While the figures come from government statements, they suggest a significant shift in the displacement profile that will shape humanitarian planning in the coming months.

Government statements also claim that security institutions have been rebuilt and that weapons previously held by non‑state actors are now under state control. The reconstitution of police, intelligence and military structures is presented as a cornerstone for stabilising communities that endured years of conflict. Parallel to security reforms, a transitional‑justice process is said to be under way, including efforts to locate missing persons and to address past abuses. Although independent verification is limited, these initiatives aim to restore public confidence and to lay the groundwork for rule of law, which is essential for long‑term humanitarian recovery.

The president noted that international sanctions have been lifted, paving the way for reconstruction and investment projects that are now being launched across the country. In addition, Syrian forces are reported to be targeting cross‑border criminal networks involved in drug and human trafficking, a move presented as strengthening regional stability. Damascus reaffirmed its commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel, with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force continuing its cease‑fire monitoring role. The United Nations Security Council resolution 497, which declares Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights null and void, was also cited as a legal basis for Syria’s territorial claims.