First Convoy of 650 Sere Kaniye Families Begins Return After Seven Years

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - The first convoy carrying internally displaced families from Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ayn), Western Kurdistan (northeastern Syria), began its journey home on Monday, marking the start of an organized repatriation effort seven years after thousands of residents were forced from the city.

Around 650 families joined the first convoy, gathering in Hasakah with their belongings before setting out for their hometown. For many, the journey represents a long-awaited opportunity to return to homes and communities they left behind in 2019.

The repatriation is being supervised by the Sere Kaniye IDP Committee in coordination with humanitarian and security organizations, including the Kurdish Red Crescent and local Internal Security Forces (Asayish).

A Long-Awaited Return

The families began their journey on Aug. 10 after years of displacement, bringing renewed attention to the difficult circumstances facing those seeking to return to Sere Kaniye.

Men, women and children gathered with their possessions as the first convoy prepared to leave Hasakah. The organized movement is intended to provide a coordinated return process while humanitarian and security bodies work to address the immediate needs of the returning families.

For the families involved, however, returning home after seven years is not simply a matter of making the journey back. Their return comes after years of uncertainty over their homes, property and future security.

The first convoy is therefore being closely watched as an early test of whether a broader return process can take place.

Property Disputes Remain

The return began despite unresolved concerns raised by displaced residents over compensation for damaged or looted homes and properties.

On Saturday, Sere Kaniye IDPs protested outside the Hasakah Governorate building, demanding financial compensation for property they said had been destroyed or looted.

Protesters also stressed that sustainable return requires security and stability guarantees, highlighting concerns that extend beyond the physical journey home.

The dispute over property and compensation remains one of the major issues surrounding the return of displaced residents and could affect future repatriation efforts.

Seven Years of Displacement

The displacement dates back to October 2019, when Sere Kaniye was captured by armed groups, forcing much of the city's population to flee.

More than 14,000 families, or an estimated 85,000 people, were displaced from the area, according to the supplied report. Most have remained away from their homes since then.

Monday's convoy marks the first major organized movement of Sere Kaniye families back toward their city.

For those returning, the journey offers a chance to reconnect with their homes after years in displacement, but the unresolved questions over property, compensation and security remain central to whether the return can develop into a wider and lasting process.

The experience of the first 650 families is likely to shape expectations among thousands of others who continue to wait for the opportunity to return.