Syrian kids born in Türkiye return home after regime's fall

Syrian children born in Türkiye, who have never seen their homeland, have visited Syria for the first time following the fall of the 61-year-old Ba'ath regime. The return of Syrians who sought refuge in Türkiye during the civil war continues as the Assad regime collapses. Children, accompanied by their families, arrived at the Kilis Oncupinar Customs Gate and underwent processing at the Returnee Center under the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management before crossing into Syria. Mahmod Hamido, who arrived in Türkiye 11 years ago with his wife Sibel, first settled in Istanbul, then moved to Kayseri. The couple had five children in Türkiye : Ali (10), Zekeriya (7), Rukiye (3), Kamer (2), and Cemil (1). For the first time, the Hamido children experienced the excitement of visiting their homeland. Mahmod Hamido, who fled to Türkiye with his wife when the war began in Syria, expressed his joy at returning to Syria with his children. He said, 'I was newly married when the civil war broke out in Syria, and we sought refuge in Türkiye. I love Türkiye, but now I am happy to return to my country. I have relatives in Aleppo, and I am very glad to be going back.' Valid El Şeyhi, who came to Gaziantep with his family 12 years ago, also spoke about the excitement of returning home. He worked in a textile factory, married his wife Nur, and they have three children: Abdulaziz (8), Hani (2), and Halid (1). He said, 'Our homeland is very beautiful, and for the first time, our children will see Aleppo. They are happy, and so are we. We have been living here for 12 years. We are very grateful to Türkiye, but we are returning now because our homeland is there. Our children have never seen their homeland, but now they will. We will never forget Türkiye for opening its doors to us, but it's time to go back. My uncles and aunts are there, and my children will meet them for the first time. A new life and new beginnings await us in Syria.'