Syria Asylum Applications Stopped by European Countries

European countries are suspending asylum applications from Syrian citizens following the capture of Damascus by rebels and President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia after 13 years of civil war.

Sweden, Germany, and Austria have suspended asylum applications due to the uncertainty surrounding political developments after Bashar al-Assad’s regime was toppled by Syrian rebels.

Denmark and Norway also suspended Syrian asylum applications.

France is set to suspend asylum applications from Syrians, with the government working to halt current cases following the fall of Assad.

The Kremlin announced that Russia granted political asylum to Assad after rebels forced him out of the country through a lightning offensive.

The civil war forced millions of Syrians to flee their country, making up a significant portion of the over one million people who journeyed to Germany and neighboring Austria during the European migration crisis of 2015 and 2016.

The move comes as both countries reassess the situation in Syria, with governments halting all new asylum claims and pausing the processing of pending requests.

Germany

In Germany, one of the largest recipients of Syrian refugees in Europe, more than 72,000 Syrians have applied for asylum in 2024. The move will likely affect 47,000 pending applications.

Germany has accepted nearly one million Syrians, with a significant number arriving during the peak of the refugee crisis in 2015 and 2016, under Chancellor Angela Merkel. As a result, Syria became the largest source of asylum seekers in the country.

Austria

Austria has followed suit, freezing Syrian asylum applications and preparing for the deportation of Syrians already living in the country.

The Austrian government, under Chancellor Karl Nehammer, said on Monday that all ongoing asylum requests from Syrians would be suspended.

Nehammer instructed the country’s interior ministry to review past asylum decisions and develop a plan for the repatriation of Syrians.

The Austrian interior minister, Gerhard Karner, further emphasized that family reunification for Syrians in Austria would also be halted.

In Austria, around 100,000 Syrians currently live in the country, one of the largest diaspora communities in Europe.

Sweden

Sweden announced it will pause all asylum cases for Syrians seeking refuge following recent events in the country.

“Given the situation, it is simply not possible to assess the reasons for protection right now,” said the head of legal affairs, Carl Bexelius.

Denmark

The Danish Refugee Agency has suspended the processing of asylum cases for Syrian nationals following recent developments, according to a statement issued by the Refugee Appeals Board on Monday.

“The Danish Refugee Appeals Board is closely following developments in Syria, and the committee will discuss the situation and its consequences for case decisions at the next ordinary on January 16th, 2025,” it said.

Norway

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) announced a temporary suspension of all asylum applications from Syrian nationals. This decision follows significant recent events and developments in Syria, which the UDI describes as creating an “unclear” situation in the country.

France

France is set to suspend asylum applications from Syrians, as the government works on halting current cases following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, according to the interior ministry.

A decision on the matter is expected within hours, Reuters reports.

The French government is considering a solution similar to Germany’s, which previously announced it would pause asylum applications, the French foreign ministry confirmed.