# Turkey-Syria voluntary refugee return processes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-syria-voluntary-refugee-return-processes > Updated: 2026-09-30T14:14:54.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2. Turkey and Syria have initiated processes for the voluntary return of Syrian nationals. In September 2026, Turkish Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş traveled to Damascus to facilitate the handover of seven Syrian children under state care to Syrian authorities. This action followed a memorandum of understanding signed in May and was intended to reunite children with their families. Following this, Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the voluntary and organized return of refugees as stability improves in Syria. The ministry highlighted the case of a 12-member family returning to Syria after ten years, noting their expressed gratitude to the Turkish people for their hospitality. ## Claims - Turkey supports the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of Syrians to their homeland. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Turkish government aims to facilitate the return of Syrians as peace and stability strengthen in Syria. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Ebubekir Halil Muhammed Zeyn and his 12-member family returned to Syria voluntarily after 10 years. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Zeyn family left a letter titled ‘Kalpten Teşekkürler Türkiye’ (Heartfelt Thanks, Turkey) upon their departure. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: Turkey supports voluntary return of Syrian refugees Turkish Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that Turkey supports the voluntary and safe return of Syrian refugees, citing a family of 12 who returned to Syria after ten years. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-supports-voluntary-return-of-syrian-refugees ### 2026-09-11: Turkey returns seven Syrian children under state care to Damascus Turkish Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş delivered seven Syrian children under state care in Turkey to authorities in Damascus as part of a voluntary return program to reunite them with their families. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-transfers-seven-syrian-children-under-state-protection-to-damascus --- Cite as: Turkey-Syria voluntary refugee return processes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-syria-voluntary-refugee-return-processes