Fresh Waves of Displacement in Syria Amid Rocky Transition

Strategic Insights -

In the aftermath of the ouster of dictator Bashar al-Assad, Syria's population, displaced by the nearly 14-year civil war, faces a new wave of turmoil driven by acts of revenge, sectarian violence, decades-old property disputes, and Israeli occupation of land in southern Syria. Between December 2022 and July 2023, more than 430,000 people in Syria were newly displaced, according to the United Nations, as no single group among the country's diverse religious and ethnic communities has been spared the turmoil.

Key Takeaways:

  • More than 430,000 people in Syria were newly displaced between December 2022 and July 2023, according to the United Nations, highlighting the ongoing crisis in the country despite the ouster of dictator Bashar al-Assad.
  • The biggest displacements were in the southern province of Sweida, where deadly clashes broke out between the Druse and Bedouin communities, resulting in the deaths of 1,300 people, nearly 400 of them civilians.
  • The Syrian Red Crescent evacuated hundreds of Bedouins on buses from the area, who are now sheltering in the capital, Damascus, desperate to return home.
  • Disputes over land and property ownership, as well as decades-old property disputes, have forced tens of thousands of Syrians to leave their homes since the transition of power in December 2022.
  • The United Nations reported that at least 2.8 million of the 12 million people displaced internally or externally during the civil war have returned to their homes since Mr. al-Assad's ouster.
  • Israeli forces have expanded their occupation of the southern province of Quneitra, near Israel's border, destroying homes and displacing civilians, with at least dozens of families displaced as a result.

Statistics:

  • 430,000: Number of newly displaced people in Syria between December 2022 and July 2023, according to the United Nations.
  • 1,300: Number of people killed in the violence in Sweida, nearly 400 of them civilians.
  • 12 million: Number of people displaced internally or externally during the civil war.
  • 2.8 million: Number of those displaced who have returned to their homes since Mr. al-Assad's ouster.
  • Hundreds: Number of Bedouins evacuated by the Syrian Red Crescent from Sweida.
  • Dozens: Number of families displaced by Israeli forces in Quneitra.

Sources:

  • "Between December 2022 and July 2023, more than 430,000 people in Syria were newly displaced, according to the United Nations." - United Nations
  • "The biggest displacements were in the southern province of Sweida, where deadly clashes broke out between the Druse and Bedouin communities, resulting in the deaths of 1,300 people, nearly 400 of them civilians." - The New York Times
  • "The Syrian Red Crescent evacuated hundreds of Bedouins on buses from the area, who are now sheltering in the capital, Damascus, desperate to return home." - The New York Times
  • "Disputes over land and property ownership, as well as decades-old property disputes, have forced tens of thousands of Syrians to leave their homes since the transition of power in December 2022." - The New York Times
  • "The United Nations reported that at least 2.8 million of the 12 million people displaced internally or externally during the civil war have returned to their homes since Mr. al-Assad's ouster." - United Nations