OREANDA-NEWS. There are serious obstacles to the return of Syrian refugees to homeland, including an economic blockade, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stated.

“Today, we continue to work persistently for the return of every refugee who wishes to get back and participate in the restoration of their homeland,” the politician said during an international conference devoted to this issue. “But there are serious obstacles. In addition to the pressure that Syrian refugees are subjected to abroad to prevent their return, there are illegal economic sanctions and blockades imposed by the American regime or its allies,” he added.

The armed conflict in Syria has been going on since 2011. At the end of 2017, victory over the terrorist organization Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in the territory of Syria, as well as neighbouring Iraq, was announced. However, in some areas of both countries, anti-terrorist operations continue.