Palestinian Refugees Begin Returning to Yarmouk Amid Uncertainty in Post-War Syria

The Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus, once a bustling hub for Palestinians, now lies in ruins due to the Syrian conflict. Once filled with vibrant markets and community life, it has been largely deserted since 2018. The camp was taken over by militant groups and heavily bombarded by government forces. Many buildings were destroyed or looted, leaving former residents facing numerous bureaucratic hurdles to return.

In recent months, some former residents have started returning to Yarmouk. The fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad on December 8 has sparked hope among many that they can rebuild their lives there. However, Syria's Palestinian refugees, numbering around 450,000, remain uncertain about their future under the new regime.

Palestinian Refugees' Uncertain Future

Samir al-Rifai, the Palestinian ambassador to Syria, expressed concerns about the new Syrian leadership's approach to Palestinian issues. "The new Syrian leadership, how will it deal with the Palestinian issue?" he questioned, noting the lack of communication between the two sides so far.

Following Assad's government's collapse, Yarmouk saw a modest revival. Women walked in groups through its streets while children played amidst the rubble. In less damaged areas, a fruit and vegetable market was thriving. Some people returned for the first time in years to check on their homes.

Returning Home Amidst Challenges

Ahmad al-Hussein left Yarmouk in 2011 during the early days of Syria's civil war. Rising rents elsewhere prompted his return to live with relatives in a relatively untouched part of the camp. He hopes to rebuild his home despite its current state as a hollow shell marked for demolition.

Under Assad's rule, gaining permission to enter Yarmouk was challenging. Al-Hussein described a lengthy process involving numerous personal questions from security agencies. "You would have to sit at a table and answer who's your mother, who's your father," he said.

The Camp's Historical Significance

Yarmouk was established in 1957 as a Palestinian refugee camp but evolved into a lively suburb with many working-class Syrians settling there. Before the war, it housed approximately 1.2 million people, including 160,000 Palestinians according to UNRWA.

Today, around 8,160 Palestinian refugees remain or have returned to Yarmouk. Unlike Lebanon where Palestinians face restrictions on property ownership and employment, Syria historically granted them rights similar to citizens except voting and running for office.

Complex Relations with Syrian Authorities

The relationship between Palestinian factions and Syrian authorities has been complicated. Former Syrian President Hafez Assad and PLO leader Yasser Arafat were adversaries; many Palestinians were imprisoned for ties to Arafat's Fatah movement.

Mahmoud Dakhnous, a retired teacher who returned to check on his demolished house in Yarmouk, recalled frequent questioning by Syrian intelligence services. He noted that despite claims of supporting Palestinian resistance, the reality was different under Assad's rule.

New Government's Approach

The new leadership led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has not officially commented on Palestinian refugees' status or its stance toward Israel. However, HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa stated they do not seek conflict with Israel.

The interim Syrian government recently lodged a complaint with the UN Security Council against Israeli incursions into Syrian territory. Meanwhile, Palestinian factions are working to establish relations with Syria's new authorities.

A group of Palestinian factions announced forming a body headed by the Palestinian ambassador to manage these relations. Al-Rifai mentioned that security forces entered offices of three Palestinian factions and removed weapons but noted uncertainty about an official disarmament decision.

Al-Rifai acknowledged that the new leadership prioritises stability over addressing Palestinian refugee issues immediately but remains hopeful for improved relations between Palestinians and Syria's new government.