Almost 500 Iraqi refugee families fleeing Syria have returned home over the last few days.

Dindar Doski, the Minister of Migration, revealed the figure yesterday, adding that the the number of the returning Iraqi refugees from Syria is increasing day by day.

The recent number is much higher than previously reported.

The returning families who were originally from the southern and central Iraqi provinces were issued 4m IQD each by the Ministry of Migration as well as basic home necessities by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and human rights organizations.

Around 1 million Iraqis have been displaced to Syria. The influx into Syria (and the rest of the Arab countries) began mainly after the 2003 US-led invasion. Many families have returned home after the Arab Spring of popular but violent protests began last year.

The majority of the returning Iraqis are Sunni Muslims, who feel that the current Syrian government, dominated by the Alawite Islamic sect, and revolutionaries no longer want them in the country.

A delegation from the ministries of migration and foreign affairs returned two days from a visit to Syria. Doski said his ministry will enforce whatever recommendations the delegation proposes for saving the lives of Iraqi refugees in Syria.