Saeed Suleiman – Action Group
As the dust of war gradually settles and signs of political stability emerge in Syria after more than a decade of conflict, attention is turning to redrawing the map of the country with all its components. At the heart of this historic transformation, a crucial question arises: What is the expected role and status of Palestinian refugees in the new Syria?
These Palestinians, who have settled in the country since the Nakba of 1948 and have been subjected to successive disasters and displacement, constitute a community deeply rooted within the Syrian fabric. As the country enters the post-Bashar al-Assad era, which fell in December 2024, the need to rethink their legal, political, and social status within the framework of reconstruction and national reconciliation grows.
*Deep Roots and Decades of Integration*
Syria has long been one of the most prominent host countries for Palestinians. UNRWA statistics indicate that the number of registered Palestinian refugees in the country prior to the 2011 Syrian revolution amounted to approximately 560,000. These refugees generally enjoyed a range of civil, social, and economic rights, such as employment, education, and healthcare, with the notable exception of political participation rights such as voting and running for office.
This special legal status contributed to the relative integration of Palestinians within Syrian society, while preserving their Palestinian national identity. This created a fragile balance between two affiliations: to Syria as a place of residence and to Palestine as a homeland to which they still dream of returning.
*The Second Nakba: The Effects of War on Palestinian Refugees*
The outbreak of the Syrian conflict in 2011 dealt a devastating blow to Palestinians in Syria. Their situation was no better than that of Syrians during the war, and their suffering was exacerbated by the destruction of the infrastructure in the camps, which had been symbols of the Palestinian presence.
According to UNRWA reports, the number of Palestinian refugees remaining in Syria had fallen to approximately 438,000 by 2020, more than 60% of whom were internally displaced, while more than 120,000 others had sought refuge in countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, and Europe. The most prominent example of the devastation inflicted on these communities is the Yarmouk camp in southern Damascus, which was considered the capital of the Palestinian diaspora and sheltered approximately 160,000 refugees before the revolution. Today, more than 80% of its homes have been destroyed, with its infrastructure almost completely destroyed, as a result of years of fighting and siege.
As fighting intensified in several areas, five of the 12 Palestinian camps, including Ein al-Tal, Daraa, Yarmouk, Sbeineh, and Khan al-Shih, were either destroyed or inaccessible.
*Post-Assad: A New Era or a Continuing Crisis?*
On December 8, 2024, Syrian opposition forces announced the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, paving the way for new political arrangements, including consultations on a new constitution, reconstruction, and national reconciliation. However, for Palestinians in Syria, this phase presents a spectrum of challenges and opportunities.
*Opportunities for Return… Conditional on Reality.*
Dozens of families have begun returning to their former camps, most notably Yarmouk. However, this return is confronted by the reality of massive destruction and collapsed infrastructure. Restoring these camps requires broad international support, not only for reconstruction but also to ensure a safe and stable environment.
*Towards a Just Legal Settlement:*
One of the most prominent issues currently under discussion is the legal status of Palestinians under the new regime. There are growing calls to grant them Syrian citizenship, or at least provide clear legal paths that guarantee their basic rights and enhance their social integration without compromising their right of return to Palestine.
*Political Participation: Between Reality and Aspiration.*
Despite the history of relative political neutrality pursued by previous regimes toward Palestinians, the new phase presents the possibility of their involvement in political life, whether through representation in local councils or through civil society organizations. This will contribute to strengthening their sense of citizenship and genuine belonging.
*Concerns about continued unrest.*
Despite radical political changes, instability remains the norm, with multiple forces competing within the country amid ongoing security fragility. Palestinians, as a group without significant armed force or political influence, are particularly vulnerable to the risks of this transitional phase, including sectarian violence and factional conflict.
*Looking to the Future:*
There is no doubt that the path to a new Syria cannot be complete without seriously addressing the issue of Palestinian refugees. They are an integral part of Syria’s contemporary history, and their continued marginalization will empty any talk of justice and reconciliation of its meaning.
Will the post-Assad era be a gateway to long-awaited historical justice? Or will the suffering of Palestinians in Syria remain an extension of their first Nakba, only with a new face? In either case, it remains the responsibility of the new Syrian government and relevant organizations to recognize their rights and work diligently to integrate them as an integral part of Syria’s future.