More than two million displaced Syrians have returned to their towns and villages in the past six months, the head of the U.N. refugee agency announced on Thursday, calling the uptick “a sign of hope” but warning that only a durable political settlement can prevent fresh turmoil.

“Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December—a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions,” U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi wrote on X as he traveled from Lebanon to Syria to mark World Refugee Day.

Grandi said the recent wave of returns underscores the urgency of a negotiated end to Syria’s long‑running conflict.

“This proves that we need political solutions, not another wave of instability and displacement,” he added.