Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure the safe return of refugees to their homes in Northeast Syria.

The security situation in Northeast Syria remains unstable and we are concerned about the impact that current tensions may have on the civilian population and on civilian infrastructure. Northeast Syria also faces an ongoing humanitarian crisis, with 82 per cent of the population in need of humanitarian assistance. We are working through diplomatic, security and humanitarian channels to monitor and address these issues. Syrians are best placed to make decisions regarding their own future, and we will continue to support refugees and host countries while the situation across Syria remains uncertain. It is essential that international law is respected and that any returns are safe, voluntary, and dignified.