Mohammed al-Bashir, Syria’s newly appointed leader, has called on Syrian refugees worldwide to come back home, claiming the nation is ready for their return.
“My appeal is to all Syrians abroad: Syria is now a free country that has regained its pride and dignity. Come back!” he told Corriere della Sera during an interview.
Al-Bashir, who will serve as head of government until March, stressed that restoring security and stability to Syria’s cities remains a top priority. Once achieved, he aims to focus on rebuilding the war-torn nation. He believes returnees can play a crucial role in Syria’s recovery. “We have to rebuild and get our country up, and we need the help of everyone,” he emphasized.
He also addressed concerns about the global perception of Islam, acknowledging that the actions of certain Islamist groups have unfairly linked Muslims with terrorism. “The wrong behavior of some Islamist groups has resulted in many people, especially in the West, combining Muslims with terrorism and Islam with extremism,” he said, calling the association a distortion. Al-Bashir pledged to protect the rights of all Syrians, regardless of their background.
While his words paint a hopeful picture, questions linger about the feasibility of large-scale returns and whether promises of safety and inclusion can truly materialize in a nation still grappling with the scars of war.
