Syrian families to return homes in Idlib province

HATAY, Turkey

Syrians are returning to secure towns and villages in Idlib province, according to a Turkish official in neighboring Hatay.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said families were crossing from Hatay’s Reyhanli district to Idlib via the Cilvegozu border post.

A month ago, Turkish troops moved into Idlib to establish a de-escalation zone according to an agreement hammered out during the Astana peace talks on Syria.

Syrians wanting to return to Idlib from Turkey must pass security checks before they can move into secure areas.

Since the start of the year, around 170,000 Syrians have crossed into Idlib from Hatay in southern Turkey.

Reporting by Cem Genco; Writing by Seyit Ahmet Aytac