ISTANBUL, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye reopened the Yayladagi Border Gate with Syria on Tuesday, after an 11-year closure, to address the anticipated border congestion from Syrian refugees wishing to return home. The gate, located in Hatay Province, was shut in 2013.

The decision follows a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday, made after a Cabinet meeting in Ankara. Erdogan confirmed the reopening to ease traffic and prevent congestion, facilitating the return of refugees.

Since early Monday, refugees have been lining up at the Cilvegozu Border Gate in Hatay's Reyhanli district, completing customs procedures to return. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said a registered appointment system for exit procedures is being implemented.

Yerlikaya also announced that the daily crossing capacity has been raised from 3,000 to between 15,000 and 20,000 people. While it's too early to provide specific return numbers, he emphasized the strong desire among refugees to return.

Around 737,000 Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned to Syria since 2016, said Yerlikaya, noting that there are still 2.95 million Syrians in Türkiye. Of those under temporary protection, approximately 1.25 million are originally from Syria's Aleppo region. Enditem

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