The war in Syria has driven millions from their homes, with over 3.5 million resettled in neighbouring Turkey. But an increasing number of Syrian refugees are finding their way back. One Istanbul neighbourhood has been busy facilitating the repatriation of scores of Syrians. It follows an operation by the Turkish army to clear northern Syria of what it deems "terrorist elements." Natalie Carney joins one family on their last night in Istanbul.

Esenyurt is a district on the west side of Turkey's biggest city. Its population is 850,000, but when you add the number of Syrians living here – it tops 1 million.

Since the start of the war in neighbouring Syria, Turkey has been hosting some 3.5 million refugees at the cost of $30 billion US dollars.

NATALIE CARNEY ISTANBUL "According to the Municipality of Essenyurt, more than 250,000 Syrians live here comprising the largest community of Syrians in Istanbul. So much so, the municipality has grown to reflect their presence. Throughout Esenyurt you can find Syrian restaurant, grocery stores, hear the Arabic language, music and of course many signs are written in Arabic."

But for many – its time to go home.

For the past few months, officials at the municipality of Esenyurt have been busy processing the paperwork for Syrians ready to go back, such as Yehya Omar Shughour and his two kids. They arrived in Turkey three years ago from Afrin in northwest Syria and have since been living in this rented apartment with Yehya's brother and his family.

While here, Yehya worked under the table construction jobs, where he learned Turkish and made some close friends. He says he will have good memories of Turkey.

YEHYA OMAR SHUGHOUR SYRIAN REFUGEE IN TURKEY "On the one hand I feel sad because while I was living in Turkey, I met many nice people, good people, I worked with them. I had good neighbours. On the other hand, I am happy because I am going to my people, I am going to my homeland. I will see my family in Syria, I will see their house."

In January, the Turkish army launched Operation Olive Branch to remove terrorists' elements from the Afrin district. Two months later, They announced the "liberation" of the area.

Many Syrians now feel its safe to return.

YEHYA OMAR SHUGHOUR SYRIAN REFUGEE IN TURKEY "First, I will see my family because I miss them so much. I will stay with them for a while and start working in construction, to do something for myself and my country. When I have enough money, I will rent a house with my children. I eventually plan to open a shop that sells electrical materials."

Muna is also from Afrin and preparing for the journey home. The Esenyurt municipality has been helping get the paperwork for her and her four kids together they too can return.

MUNA DINDE SYRIAN REFUGEE IN TURKEY "We want safety. We just want it to be safe there. Maybe a big house, we just want to go back to our homeland. God willing, our life will be beautiful there."

In the last two months, more than 100 Syrians living in Esenyurt have been repatriated to their hometowns, a process being completely covered by the municipality itself.

YEHYA OMAR SHUGHOUR SYRIAN REFUGEE IN TURKEY "What I came with this suitcase from Syria, I take back with me in this suitcase."

First thing in the morning Yehya and his two kids will join another Syrian family for the 1200 kilometer bus ride from Istanbul to the border then back into Syria for what Yehya hopes will be a reunion with his old life. Natalie Carney CGTN Istanbul, Turkey.