Reports from international news agencies and official Syrian government statements

Germany and Austria Halt Syrian Asylum Applications After Assad Flees; Deportations Planned

Dec 9, 2024, 02:53 PM

Germany has suspended decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens, citing the unclear situation following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) announced that over 47,270 asylum applications are affected, including around 46,000 initial requests. Germany, which hosts nearly one million Syrian refugees, says the current political developments make it difficult to assess asylum claims. Austria has also halted processing Syrian asylum applications and is preparing a "programme of deportation" affecting around 7,300 open asylum procedures. Family reunification is also suspended. Sweden has paused decisions on Syrian asylum requests and deportations. Other countries, including Norway, Denmark, France, the UK, Greece, and Belgium, have suspended processing Syrian asylum applications. Authorities across these countries state that the uncertain situation in Syria necessitates a temporary halt to asylum decisions. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stated that given the unclear situation, applications cannot be processed at this time.