Sign in Subscribe
Assad, Bashar al-

Fresh Waves of Displacement in Syria Amid Ongoing Transition and Sectarian Violence

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The nearly 14-year civil war in Syria has seen a fresh wave of displacement, with over 430,000 people forced to leave their homes between December 2024 and July 2025, according to the United Nations. This number has been driven by acts of revenge, sectarian violence, decades-old property disputes, and Israeli occupation of land in southern Syria. The displacement has been widespread, affecting various religious and ethnic communities across multiple regions, with no group spared from the turmoil.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 430,000 people in Syria were newly displaced between December 2024 and July 2025, according to the United Nations.
  • The biggest displacements were in the southern province of Sweida, where deadly clashes broke out between the Druse and Bedouin communities.
  • Disputes over land and property ownership have also driven displacement, with many cases going back decades.
  • The Israeli occupation of land in southern Syria has led to the destruction of homes and displacement of civilians.
  • Alawites, a religious minority that the Assad family belongs to, feel vulnerable and are facing violent eviction from their homes.
  • At least 2.8 million Syrians have returned to the country since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, according to the United Nations.
  • Many Syrian families are desperate to return home, with stories of displacement and violence emerging from various regions.

Statistics:

  • Over 430,000 people were newly displaced in Syria between December 2024 and July 2025.
  • The total number of displaced Syrians since the civil war began is over 12 million, out of a pre-war population of 23 million.
  • At least 2.8 million Syrians have returned to the country since the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad.
  • Over 1,300 people were killed in the violence in one region alone, with many more reported dead or displaced.
  • Israeli occupation of land in southern Syria has led to the destruction of homes and displacement of civilians.

Sources:

  • United Nations
  • Syrian Arab Red Crescent
  • Human Rights Watch
  • Syrian Network for Human Rights
  • The New York Times
  • United Nations refugee agency
  • Local residents and officials in al-Soumariya

Read more