Nagham Jajan

Qamishlo-After years of forced displacement and a long wait,signs of return to the city of Afrin have begun to emerge.With the implementation of the final agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces(SDF) and the interim Syrian government,the displaced are preparing to turn the page on displacement,return to their city,and begin a new era.

Suzan Oso said that her family endured the horrors of displacement for nine years,and her return was delayed due to the violations committed against returnees.

On that matter,she affirmed:” We want to return with our security forces,We want our rights guaranteed.We have been displaced for years,and now we want to return to our homes.Our demand is to return to Afrin with international guarantees,as Kurds,so that we can practice our livelihoods on our land without violations against us.”

She explained that their preparations for the return are underway, but what worries them is what is being practiced against the Kurdish people by Turkish mercenaries and the jihadists of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). “We have been waging this war for many years to protect our existence and our identity.

This war must stop,and peace and democracy must be achieved.Therefore,it is necessary to guarantee our rights in the Syrian constitution.”

Areefa Habash, overwhelmed with longing to return to Afrin, said, "Our land is so beautiful." Nine years have passed since their displacement. "During our displacement, we witnessed so much pain, destruction, and obstacles. We were displaced from Afrin to Shahba, then to Raqqa, and finally we arrived in Qamishlo."

Despite its hardships, she described the years of displacement as "years of resistance," and therefore the return must be dignified. "When I return to Afrin, I don't know what my feelings will be. The first place I will go to upon arrival is the Martyrs' Cemetery, then I will head to my village. When we return, our return must be dignified, strong, and full of morale. If the security forces are not with us, we will not return."

Amina Hussein, for her part, said that they wish to return to Afrin safe and sound and live in peace. "We never imagined that we would one day return to Afrin. Our desire is to return safe, sound, and with dignity. We want to restore our former lives, and we call upon all countries to guarantee the conditions for a safe return."