Assad wants refugees back to Syria | Abroad

Since the bloody Syrian civil war started in 2011, some 5.5 million Syrians have been forced to flee their country. Surrounding countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan received most of the displaced Syrians, but many refugees also arrived in European countries such as the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Assad’s troops have regained control of most of Syria.

An international conference on the return of refugee Syrians will start this week in the capital Damascus. Assad made it clear in a video call with his ally Putin that he hopes that the summit will lead to many refugees being able to return to his country. Critics think it is still too unsafe there.

Sanctions

Assad complained that a “siege” of his country by the West is the biggest obstacle to refugee return. He was referring to the sanctions imposed by countries that hold his regime responsible for numerous human rights violations. The Syrian leader called the punishment “unjust” and hopes for foreign aid to get rid of the sanctions.

It is still unclear which countries will participate in the conference, which starts on Wednesday. Lebanon has announced that it will send a minister and UN coordinator Imran Riza is present as an observer.

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