Father-daughter duo leaves Turkey as Syria enters new chapter
A Syrian refugee heads back home after 13 years in Turkey following recent changes in Damascus. His emotional journey marks one of many expected returns through newly-opened border crossing
Ala Jabeer and his ten-year-old daughter stand at Turkeys Yayladagi border-crossing‚ ready for a life-changing journey back to Syria. Its been a long-winded path since their escape in 2011‚ marked by both safety and loss
The father-daughter duo lost their family members (including Jabeers wife and three children) in last years devastating earth-quakes that hit southern Turkey; killing more than 50000 people. “Just as I cried for my lost children I am crying to leave Hatay behind“ Jabeer says‚ his voice trembling with mixed feelings
The timing of their return links to last weekends take-over in Damascus: when anti-government forces gained control and the previous leader left for Russia. Turkey which hosts over 3-million Syrian migrants has re-opened its border gate at Yayladagi — closed since 13ʼ due to fighting — to help manage returns
- Health-care access
- Job opportunities
- Shelter provision
- Social services
Jabeers main reason for going back is his mother in Latakia who can help with his daughter while he works. “We think things will be better now; the ones who took over are working to stop bad things“ he explains‚ showing hope for Syrias new direction
Turkey controls parts of northern Syria after several military operations against Kurdish YPG groups (which it sees as terrorists). The country says it wants Syrians to choose their future freely‚ supporting a new all-including government structure
