Ankara: The number of Syrians who have returned to their homeland from Trkiye since Dec. 9 last year has reached 200,000, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday. In his speech at an event focusing on Trkiye's migration management, Erdogan noted the challenges that have been faced, including various difficulties, hinderances, and sabotage, but emphasized that Syria is gradually recovering.

According to Anadolu Agency, Erdogan highlighted that as Syria gains stability, the number of returnees has started to increase. The political landscape in Syria saw significant changes after Bashar Assad, who had led the country for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, effectively ending the Baath Party's long-standing rule. Subsequently, a transitional administration was established in late January, which led to the dissolution of the previous Constitution, security services, armed factions, parliament, and the Baath Party.

Erdogan further discussed global migration trends, citing data from the International Organization for Migration which reports over 281 million migrants worldwide, including more than 165 million migrant workers. He mentioned that the number of refugees has risen to 120 million in recent years due to ongoing wars, conflicts, and crises. According to Erdogan, at least 20 people are forced to migrate every minute due to conflict, oppression, or terrorism.

He stressed that 3.6% of the world's population currently lives as migrants, and these figures rise significantly when wars persist, crises remain unresolved, and climate change impacts intensify. Erdogan criticized the policies of Western powers, attributing them as a major force behind forced migration, and pointed out that the majority of refugees-75 out of every 100-are hosted by low- and middle-income countries, rather than wealthy nations.