The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) recently reported that 89 civilians, including 25 children, were killed in Syria during October 2024 alone. These numbers illustrate a grim reality for Syrians, who continue to suffer as regional and domestic conflicts converge on their homeland. Caught in this turmoil are those civilians forced back into unsafe territories in northwest Syria, an area already destabilized by violence and overwhelmed by internally displaced people (IDPs). This report underscores how escalating conflicts, particularly with Israel’s strikes against Hezbollah and Iranian targets in Syria, are creating even more dangerous conditions for civilians.
A Battleground for Regional Powers
Since October, Syria has become a flashpoint in the larger power struggle between Iran and Israel. As Israel intensifies airstrikes to counter Iran-backed Hezbollah in Syria, civilians are left in increasingly vulnerable positions. The SNHR report highlights how these strikes often hit densely populated areas, killing dozens and adding to Syria’s mounting civilian toll. Meanwhile, Syrian and Russian forces continue their attacks across Idlib and Daraa, exacerbating the risks to civilians already trapped in unstable regions. Civilians in Syria are pawns in a larger geopolitical chess game, with Iranian, Israeli, and Russian forces using the country as a proxy battleground.
Forced Returns to Unsafe Areas
Despite the worsening security situation, discussions around Syrian refugee returns are gaining traction, especially within Europe. Countries like Italy and Austria are pushing the European Union to facilitate “safe returns,” suggesting that certain areas in Syria could be deemed secure for returning refugees. However, recent rulings and warnings from the UNHCR state otherwise, cautioning that no part of Syria can yet be considered safe for returnees. The SNHR report further debunks this notion, showing how attacks on civilian infrastructure—schools, hospitals, and housing—remain frequent and indiscriminate.
Syria is Not Ready for Refugee Returns
The reality on the ground in Syria is bleak. Civilians are at risk from regional conflicts, domestic repression, and proxy warfare. Any talk of “safe returns” disregards the very real threats that Syrians face. Until Syria sees a stable peace and a halt to foreign interventions, it remains unsafe, and the international community must acknowledge this as they deliberate on migration and refugee policies.
