Damascus, June 21 (QNA) - The Syrian General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs confirmed that the number of Syrians who have voluntarily returned to the country through border crossings exceeded 1.26 million citizens, while measures and facilities for receiving them continue.

Director of Public Relations at the Authority Mazen Alloush said, in remarks to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), that the total number of returnees through border crossings between December 2024 and the end of May 2025 reached 1,268,347 citizens. Of these, 736,902 arrived from Turkiye, 367,444 from Lebanon, 137,239 from Jordan, and an additional 23,606 from Iraq.

He added that during the first five months of 2026, 273,412 citizens returned to Syria, reflecting the continued trend of voluntary return. Among them, 149,185 returned from Lebanon, 105,767 from Turkiye, 13,599 from Jordan, and 1,705 from Iraq

Alloush emphasized that the General Authority for Border Crossings and Customs continues to provide a comprehensive package of facilities for returnees, including simplifying procedures, speeding up the processing of transactions, providing flexible travel lanes at border crossings, and exempting personal, household, and domestic belongings from fees in accordance with applicable laws and regulations

He noted that these measures help reduce burdens on returning families and facilitate their resettlement inside the country. He also explained that the Authority is continuously working to improve services for travelers and enhance operational efficiency at various border crossings.

The Director of Public Relations further stated that the ongoing increase in the number of returnees reflects growing confidence in the procedures and services provided at border crossings, as well as the success of efforts to ensure safe, comfortable, and efficient passage for citizens wishing to return home.

He added that the continued flow of large numbers of returning Syrians also indicates a growing desire among citizens to return to their country and settle there. (QNA)