Several European countries, including Germany, France, Austria, and the Nordic states, have suspended all pending asylum applications from Syrians following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Syrian rebels.
The development has also prompted Austria to signal its intention to begin deporting refugees back to Syria.
Sweden, Denmark, and Norway announced on Monday that they are halting the processing of Syrian asylum applications, citing uncertainty over the rapidly evolving situation in Damascus. Meanwhile, people across Europe have rallied in solidarity with Syrian opposition forces, with large gatherings seen in places such as Oranienplatz square, where demonstrators displayed a massive Syrian opposition flag.
The Syrian civil war, which began over a decade ago, forced millions to flee their homes, many seeking refuge in Europe. During the European migration crisis of 2015-16, Syrians represented a significant proportion of the more than one million people who arrived in countries such as Germany and Austria. Germany alone has taken in nearly one million Syrians, with the majority arriving under the open-door policy of former Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, expressed cautious optimism about the potential for Syrian refugees to return home. “Many Syrian refugees now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland,” she stated, while warning that “the situation in Syria is currently very unclear.”
UK Response to Developments in Syria
In the UK, Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed the House of Commons, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians, including minorities, amid the shifting dynamics in Syria. “The toppling of Bashar al-Assad’s regime brings no guarantee of peace,” Lammy remarked, highlighting the need for careful monitoring of the rebel coalition leading Syria. He noted that Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group spearheading the coalition, is classified as a terrorist organization by the UK.
“This should rightly make us cautious,” Lammy said. “We will judge HTS by their actions, monitoring closely how they and other parties to this conflict treat all civilians in areas they control.” He added that HTS had “offered assurances” regarding the protection of minorities and had committed to cooperating with the international community on monitoring chemical weapons.
Lammy underscored the UK’s priority of allowing Syrians to determine their own future while preventing the conflict from escalating regionally. To support humanitarian efforts, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced an additional £11 million in funding for Syria. Lammy also revealed £36 million in new funding for the National Crime Agency to combat corruption and illicit finance, which he described as a cornerstone of Assad’s rule.
The Foreign Secretary concluded by outlining his discussions over the weekend with counterparts from Turkey, Israel, the UAE, and Jordan to coordinate responses to the evolving situation in Syria. As the international community watches closely, the path forward remains fraught with challenges, despite the end of Assad’s reign.
