Germany and Austria Suspend Syrian Asylum Applications After Assad's Fall

Dec 9, 2024, 02:54 PM

Following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime, several European countries, including Germany and Austria, have suspended decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens. Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has halted processing approximately 47,270 asylum applications from Syrians, citing concerns that current rulings would be 'on shaky ground' due to the unpredictable situation in Syria. Austria has also frozen all new Syrian asylum applications, affecting around 7,300 open asylum procedures, and is preparing an expulsion program. Family reunification procedures have been suspended as well. Other countries including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Greece, France, and Belgium have announced similar suspensions or are considering them. The move impacts tens of thousands of Syrian refugees seeking asylum in Europe.