'The war is over, thank God. We thank Türkiye. You are very kind people,' returnee tells Anadolu
Syrians who sought refuge in Türkiye during their country's civil war continue crossing through border gates in the southern Turkish province of Hatay following the collapse last month of the 61-year-old Baath regime.
At the Cilvegozu Border Gate in Reyhanli district, arrivals wait in line for customs procedures in a gendarmerie-managed corridor.
Mobile service units of the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management help speed up the exit process.
Once their customs procedures are completed, they cross into Syria.
Teams from the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management have been assisting Syrians with transporting their belongings using wheeled carts.
Mohamed Nur Lattouf, 14, one of those passing through the Cilvegozu Border Gate, said he had been living in Türkiye for nine years and was treated very well.
"I learned a new language. Now the war is over and I'm returning. I left when I was six and will miss my schoolmates," he said.
Bushra Najla, 22, said she was returning to Idlib with her mother and sister and is happy that she will reunite with another sister waiting across the border.
"The war is over, thank God. We thank Türkiye. You are very kind people," she added.
Fayez Hammoud said he arrived from Izmir with his wife and four children and was heading to his hometown in Idlib.
Jameel Mardawy, 30, was returning to his hometown in Idlib after a year.
"God willing, within a year, everyone will return to Syria. Thank God the war is over. I hope Syria has become beautiful. I invited my friends to Syria when I parted from them,” he said.
Idav Kivaz, who has been living in Istanbul for seven years, said he missed his country and was returning to Hama to reunite with his parents.
