DeFacto Dialogue Foundation held an extensive discussion session on Saturday in the city of Afrin under the title “Transformation and Challenges.” The session brought together representatives of civil society organizations, local community leaders, and members of the local population, along with a number of returnees to the area.
The session marked a new step in a series of community dialogues aimed at addressing the issue of displaced persons’ return—one of the most complex and sensitive files in northwest Syria.
During the discussion, administrative challenges emerged as one of the main obstacles facing returnees. The fragmentation of authorities and the weakness of basic services continue to hinder processes of reintegration and sustainable stability. Economic difficulties were also highlighted, particularly the lack of job opportunities and the absence of investments capable of revitalizing the local market, directly affecting families’ ability to decide whether to return.
The security dimension was another central theme. Participants emphasized that security concerns remain a decisive factor in shaping return prospects, due to the spread of weapons and the absence of an effective judicial system capable of guaranteeing residents’ rights.
In an effort to develop a shared vision, the session concluded with a set of ideas that could form the basis for a more stable environment. Participants stressed the importance of building common ground based on an inclusive identity to reduce tensions between residents and returnees. They also highlighted the need to confront hate speech and dismantle stereotypes that have accumulated over years of conflict, while emphasizing respect for the cultural specificities of the region’s components within clear legal frameworks.
The discussion further underscored the need for effective legal mechanisms that enable returnees to reclaim their property, alongside activating reparation programs and both material and moral compensation. Participants stressed that any meaningful progress on the return file requires genuine political will capable of enforcing security and removing armed manifestations from the city.
The session also addressed the importance of reforming judicial institutions and amending property-related laws, particularly in border areas that have undergone significant changes during the conflict. Participants reiterated the importance of addressing the issue of missing persons and detainees, considering the clarification of their fate a key step toward building trust between communities and controlling authorities.
On the economic level, participants called for encouraging investment as a key entry point for creating new job opportunities, which could enhance stability for returnees and provide additional incentives for return and long-term settlement.
While Afrin continues to face complex security, service, and social challenges, DeFacto Foundation will continue to organize a series of specialized dialogues in the fields of law, education, economics, and administration. These efforts aim to develop a realistic local approach to strengthening stability in the region, pending improvements in political and security conditions that would allow these proposals to be implemented on the ground.
DeFacto will publish the recommendations resulting from this session at a later stage.
