Migration Management refutes Özdağ's claims: 2 million 255 thousand Syrians in Turkiye

The Migration Management Directorate has dismissed claims by Victory Party leader Umit Ozdag about the return of Syrians as unfounded. According to current records, the number of Syrians under temporary protection in Turkiye stands at 2 million 255 thousand 31.

Scraper SystemJune 27, 2026, 10:03 PM

Migration Management refutes Özdağ's claims: 2 million 255 thousand Syrians in Turkiye

The Migration Management Directorate dismissed statements by Victory Party Chairman Umit Ozdag regarding Syrians in Turkiye as unfounded, stating that "According to current records, the number of Syrians under temporary protection status in our country is 2 million 255 thousand 31."

In a statement on the matter, the Migration Management Directorate said: "Following the unfounded claims made by Victory Party Chairman Umit Ozdag aimed at misleading the public regarding Syrians under temporary protection status who have returned from our country to Syria, it has become necessary to issue a statement to inform the public correctly.

The figure announced by Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci represents the total number of Syrians who have voluntarily returned to Syria from 2016 to the present. The number shared by Turkiye's Ambassador to Damascus, Nuh Yilmaz, pertains only to those who have made voluntary, safe, dignified, and orderly returns from December 8, 2024, onwards.

The Migration Management Directorate of the Ministry of Interior continues to transparently share data on Syrians under temporary protection in our country with the public on a weekly basis via its official website. According to current records, the number of Syrians under temporary protection status in our country is 2 million 255 thousand 31.

The total number of those who have made voluntary returns from 2016 to date is 1 million 440 thousand 123, while the number returning voluntarily, safely, with dignity, and in an orderly manner from December 8, 2024, stands at 700 thousand 120. The public is strongly advised not to give credence to such unfounded allegations that do not align with official data and target our institutions.

The voluntary, safe, dignified, and orderly return processes for Syrians are conducted with state seriousness and within the framework of international law. These returns are carried out under the supervision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)."

Migration Management refutes Özdağ's claims: 2 million 255 thousand Syrians in Turkiye