Beirut: The UN refugee chief announced that more than 2 million Syrians have returned home since December. "Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December-a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions," UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi wrote on X.

According to Anadolu Agency, Grandi emphasized the need for a "political solution" in Syria while on his way from Lebanon to Syria for World Refugee Day. "This proves that we need political solutions-not another wave of instability and displacement," he noted.

After enduring years in refugee camps, thousands of Syrian civilians are returning to their homeland as peace and security have begun to take hold in Syria following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Millions of Syrians had fled to neighboring countries seeking safety due to mass destruction and a worsening humanitarian crisis under Assad. Assad, who led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party regime that had been in power since 1963.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president for a transitional period in late January.