Syrian Kurds who fled their homes in Afrin in early 2018 are beginning to return to the northwestern city. This return is facilitated by Syria's newly formed transitional government, which announced it would aid the safe return of those displaced by the Turkish-led "Operation Olive Branch" offensive.

The "Operation Olive Branch" offensive in 2018 targeted the Kurdish-dominated People's Protection Units (YPG), leading to the displacement of tens of thousands of Syrian Kurds. Many found their properties occupied by other Syrians displaced from areas like Homs and Damascus.

Dilshad Hamdo, who fled Afrin as a young man, expressed relief upon returning to his family home, despite it being stripped bare. "I have a lot of memories in this house with my extended family. There is nothing like the house and the land," Hamdo told Al Jazeera, highlighting the deep emotional connection to his ancestral land.

Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, the transitional government has prioritized assisting displaced populations. Internal security forces have been involved in supporting the return of hundreds of Syrian Kurdish families from Hasakah to Afrin in recent months.

Hamdo's family experienced the complex reality of returning, finding a displaced family from Homs occupying their home. Instead of conflict, the two displaced families engaged in negotiation, with Hamdo's family eventually paying $300 USD to the Homs family as travel money for them to vacate the property.

This process underscores the challenges and human element involved in returning to areas affected by years of conflict and displacement. While the return offers a sense of relief for families like Hamdo's, the empty homes and the need for negotiation with current occupants highlight the lingering impacts of the war.

The transitional government's initiative represents a significant policy shift aimed at reconciliation and rebuilding trust among different communities within Syria. The success of these return programs will likely depend on continued security, resource allocation, and diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.

Questions remain about the long-term sustainability of these returns, including property restitution for all displaced individuals and the broader economic and social reintegration within Afrin and other war-affected areas.