SYRIA NEWS | ZAMAN ALWSL

Sharp decline in the acceptance of Syrian applications in the Netherlands

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:18:00 +0300

The Netherlands' asylum policy underwent a significant shift last year, with a sharp rise in asylum application rejections and an unprecedented decline in the number of Syrians granted residency, according to the latest data from Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

For the first time in years, the number of rejected applications exceeded the number of approved ones. According to data from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), the rejection rate increased by approximately 56% compared to the previous year. Out of roughly 15,550 initial decisions, 8,120 applications were rejected, while only 7,430 were approved.

Observers believe that the second half of the year saw the most stringent measures, reflecting a new governmental approach to immigration.

A Sharp Decline in Acceptance of Syrians

After years in which the acceptance rate for Syrian applications reached approximately 95%, this rate has plummeted. The IND issued only 390 decisions concerning Syrians, compared to 10,700 the previous year, and only 28% of those granted residency permits.

According to the Dutch news site NOS, this decline is due to the freeze on decisions that followed the change of power in Syria at the end of 2014, in addition to the Dutch government's revised assessment of the level of violence there. Now, Syrian asylum seekers are required to prove "personal danger" instead of relying on the general security situation.

Subsidiary Protection Decline

The report showed a sharp 70% decrease in the granting of "subsidiary protection," which is allocated to those who do not qualify as refugees but face risks in their countries of origin. This contrasts with a 35% increase in residency permits granted for compelling humanitarian reasons.

Financial Pressure on the Immigration Service

Despite a 27% decrease in the overall number of decisions, the Immigration Service continued to face financial pressure. It was forced to pay approximately €79 million in compensation to refugees due to delays in processing their applications, highlighting a gap between the speed of procedures and the volume of cases.

This scene reflects a new reality in The Hague, where obtaining asylum in the Netherlands has become more difficult than ever, especially after the security situation in countries that were among the main sources of asylum seekers, most notably Syria, was reclassified.

Fares al-Rifai - Zaman al-Wasl

Syrian families drowned after Lebanese authorities forcibly deported them: Activists

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 06:27:35 +0300

A number of Syrian refugees drowned in the river separating the Syrian and Lebanese borders early Sunday morning during a nighttime deportation operation carried out by Lebanese authorities in dangerous weather and geographical conditions.

Local sources and eyewitnesses from the border village of Al-Shabrouniyeh reported that Lebanese army units arrested several Syrian families inside Lebanon and transported them at midnight to unofficial border crossings.

According to reports, the families—including women and children—were forced to cross the river in the dead of night. The currents swept some of them away, and between four and five people from the displaced families drowned. The search continues for others who were swept away by the water.

Civil defense teams rushed to the scene of the incident in the countryside of Talkalakh upon receiving the reports. They are currently working to recover the bodies and provide first aid to the survivors who managed to reach the Syrian bank, where they are in a state of shock and extreme panic.

A resident of the village of Shabrouniya said, "Children and women were left facing the river late at night with no regard for their safety. What happened wasn't displacement; it was pushing them to their deaths."

Zaman al-Wasl

Class-action lawsuit against German MP over insulting Syrian refugees

Zaman Al Wasl — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 09:54:00 +0300

In a step reflecting growing legal awareness and a desire to protect the human dignity of the Syrian community in Germany, activists and human rights defenders have announced the initiation of official legal procedures to file a "collective lawsuit" against a member of the parliament in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) of Albanian origin. This action comes in response to statements considered offensive and insulting towards Syrian refugees.

The MP in question is Alice Weidel, the parliamentary leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Weidel explicitly called for the deportation of Syrians from Germany, claiming they contribute to rising crime rates and describing the need for their deportation as something Germany is "forced to do."

These legal moves are a direct response to Weidel's statements, in which she used generalizations and accused Syrians with derogatory descriptions, including "stupidity" and other insults that violate the dignity of the community.

Regarding the legal response, activists revealed direct coordination with German-Syrian lawyer Nahla Othman, who will oversee the legal aspects of this case.

Lawyer Othman is scheduled to launch a dedicated online link to facilitate the submission of complaints. This link will be available to all Syrians harmed by these statements. The measure aims to gather as many legal complaints as possible to strengthen the case's position before the German judiciary.

Complaint Registration Confirmed

In support of this action, official documents issued by the North Rhine-Westphalia State Police (Polizei NRW) show the actual commencement of processing the submitted criminal complaints. The police confirmed in an official notice under file number i4074460-1930-251223 the receipt of the reports and the initiation of necessary legal procedures.

The official document issued via the portal

(formulare.polizei.nrw) confirmed the receipt of the criminal complaint by the North Rhine-Westphalia State Police.

The report will be forwarded to the competent police department in the area where the incident occurred, or to the department corresponding to the complainant's residence if the incident location is not precisely specified.

The relevant authorities will also contact the complainants if there are additional inquiries, while providing the opportunity to add new information to the existing report.

A Message to the Community

Through this action, the organizers seek to send a firm message that hate speech and offensive generalizations will not pass without legal accountability. They emphasize the necessity of using official channels in Germany to secure rights and protect public peace. The link for submitting complaints will be circulated through Syrian groups and platforms in Germany to ensure broad participation, with expectations that the number of complaints will reach hundreds.

Editing by Fares Al-Rifai

Germany deports man to Syria for first time since 2011

AFP — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 16:08:27 +0300

Germany deported a man to Syria for the first time since the civil war broke out in that country in 2011, the interior ministry in Berlin said Tuesday.

A Syrian immigrant previously convicted of criminal offences in Germany was flown to Damascus and handed over to Syrian authorities on Tuesday morning, the ministry said.

“Our society has a legitimate interest in ensuring that criminals leave our country,” Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said in a press release.

The deportation just before Christmas capped months of talks with Syria’s government, which mirrored similar efforts by Berlin to strike a deportation deal with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Human rights groups have criticized efforts to send immigrants back to either country, citing continued instability and evidence of rights abuses.

But Germany’s conservative-led government has made the resumption of deportations to Syria a diplomatic priority since former president Bashar al-Assad fled the country just over a year ago.

In July, Austria became the first European Union country to deport someone to Syria since 2011.

The German ministry said that deals have now been struck with both Damascus and Kabul to allow regular deportations of “criminals and dangerous individuals” in the future.

Roughly a million Syrians fled to Germany to escape the civil war, many of them arriving in 2015.

The Syrian man deported on Tuesday had served a prison sentence in the western German state of North Rhine-Westphalia for aggravated robbery, bodily harm and extortion.

The ministry said an Afghan man was also deported to his home country on Tuesday. That man had also served time in prison for intentional bodily harm and other crimes.

UN official predicts one million Syrian refugees will return by 2026

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 02:15:08 +0300

A UNHCR official has predicted that nearly one million Syrian refugees could return to their country by 2026, following Syria’s gradual recovery since the fall of the former regime on December 8, 2024.

Gonzalo Vargas Llosa, head of the UNHCR mission in Syria, stated in an interview with Anadolu agency that more than 1.3 million refugees have already returned since that date. In addition, nearly two million internally displaced persons have gone back to their areas of origin, bringing the total to over three million people in a short period.

He noted that Syria’s recovery after a long war will not be immediate, but he praised the Syrian government and people for successfully reconnecting the country with the world in a relatively short time.

Llosa said this return is a positive sign but emphasized that coordinated international support is needed to improve economic conditions. He noted that lifting sanctions and encouraging private investment will be key to accelerating the reconstruction process.

He also praised Turkey for hosting refugees and supporting Syria after the recent political changes.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, recently called for continued assistance to ensure the ongoing return of Syrian refugees. Meanwhile, the United States approved the repeal of the Caesar Act as part of the 2026 Department of Defense budget.

SANA

Gaziantep: Half of sewing workshops close due to Syrian workers return

Zaman Al Wasl — Sat, 06 Dec 2025 13:08:55 +0300

The garment and textile sector in Turkey's Gaziantep province is experiencing an unprecedented crisis following the return of large numbers of Syrian workers to their country. This has led to the closure of more than 50% of the garment workshops that relied on them as a primary workforce.

According to the Gaziantep İlk Haber website, production has declined significantly, and the shortage of skilled labor has reached critical levels, threatening the survival of the remaining workshops in the sector.

Ali Komurcu, head of the Gaziantep Chamber of Commerce and Industry's garment and textile sector, explained that Syrians had formed the backbone of the middle workforce in the province for many years. He stated, "With the return of Syrians to their country, more than 50% of our workshops have closed. We used to meet our needs for middle labor with Syrians, and with their absence, the shortage has become much more severe."

Komurcu pointed out that many workshops that depended on Syrians to fill the gap in skilled labor were forced to close after the end of the war in Syria and the start of the return of refugees, leading to a significant decline in productivity within the sector.

Komurcu linked the labor shortage to Turkey's 4+4+4 education system, explaining that compulsory education until age 18 reduces young people's opportunities to enter the vocational job market at an early age, thus decreasing the number of skilled workers in trades.

He added, "Vocational training centers are not producing enough middle-level workers, which is why Syrians were a vital pillar of the market. With their departure, the need for qualified personnel has resurfaced."

Komurcu noted that 2025 was not a good year for artisans or the textile sector in Gaziantep, explaining that the economic recession and rising operating costs negatively impacted workshop owners. However, he expressed hope that the formation of the new Syrian government would lead to improved trade with Turkey, potentially revitalizing the sector.

He said, "We believe that cooperation between our government and the Syrian government in the coming period will boost trade in our region. We hope that artisans will prepare for a better season."

Komurjo added that the return of many Syrian workers to their country after the formation of the Syrian government has created significant gaps in the labor market. He expressed hope that 2026 would bring a breakthrough for traders and craftsmen after what he described as a "disappointing" year.

In a related context, Komurjo emphasized the need to raise wages to cope with the rising cost of living, saying, "The decline in wages and pensions, coupled with the increase in fuel costs, has directly impacted purchasing power. Without sufficient income, people cannot afford to spend. Increasing wages will revitalize the markets and restore economic activity to normal."

Netherlands to prevent safe countries asylum seekers from work

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:08:08 +0300

The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that the Dutch government is working on new amendments to the laws governing asylum seekers, which would prevent those arriving from so-called "completely safe countries" from working in the Netherlands.

Outgoing Minister of Social Affairs, Mariëlle Paul, said that this step is part of the new European Migration Pact, which includes stricter rules regarding asylum and participation in the labor market. These rules are scheduled to come into effect on June 12, 2026, with the current regulations remaining in force until then.

Under the current regulations, asylum seekers are only allowed to work after six months from the start of their asylum procedure, but the new plans will reduce this period to three months for individuals who the authorities deem likely to receive residency. Conversely, a complete ban on work will be imposed on asylum seekers from countries considered safe or those who pose a risk to public safety.

Abuse of the asylum system

Through these measures, the Dutch government aims to strike a balance between encouraging the integration of refugees who are likely to remain in the country and addressing the severe labor market shortage, while simultaneously curbing the abuse of the asylum system.

Recent statistics cited by the newspaper indicate that the number of asylum applications in the Netherlands decreased by 33% during the first nine months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, with a total of approximately 16,600 applications. Most of the applicants were from Eritrea (990) and Syria (860), an increase of 45% compared to the previous quarter. This is the first increase recorded since the fall of the Assad regime at the end of 2024, according to data from the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).

Increase in Work Permits

Previously, restrictions limited asylum seekers to working only 24 weeks per year. This provision was abolished at the end of 2023 by a decision of the Dutch Council of State, leading to a surge in the number of work permits issued, from approximately 600 in 2022 to more than 16,000 during the first eight months of 2025.

Between Challenges and Opportunities for Integration

Since 2015, the Syrian community has been one of the largest refugee groups in the Netherlands. Syrians there face multiple challenges, most notably the difficulty of having their educational qualifications recognized, language barriers, and the slow processing of work and housing permits.

Despite these obstacles, many Syrians have successfully integrated into the labor market, particularly in sectors such as logistics, restaurants, healthcare, and programming. Official Dutch reports indicate that a significant percentage of working Syrians contribute positively to the local economy, especially in cities experiencing labor shortages.

With the tightening of new laws, there are concerns that these measures will negatively impact future employment opportunities for new asylum seekers. Meanwhile, the debate continues within Dutch political circles on how to balance controlling immigration with encouraging the economic and social integration of new residents.

Fares Al-Rifai - Zaman al-Wasl

Germany intends to agree with Syria to deport rejected asylum seekers

Sat, 27 Sep 2025 09:30:00 +0300

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt announced his intention to reach a rapid agreement with Syria regarding the deportation of rejected asylum seekers from Germany.

In statements to the German newspaper Rheinische Post on Saturday (September 27, 2025), Dobrindt said, "We want to reach an agreement with Syria this year. We will begin by deporting criminals first, followed by those who have not been granted residency rights." He added that it is necessary to distinguish between people well integrated into society and the labor market, and those without asylum rights who rely on social benefits.

The minister indicated that talks on this issue will begin soon, explaining that he has instructed the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees to partially resume suspended asylum procedures for Syrians, in preparation for the deportation of those whose applications have been rejected.

In parallel with German authorities' emphasis on distinguishing between those well integrated into society and the labor market and those without asylum rights who rely on state benefits, Germany announced its intention to reach a rapid agreement with Syria regarding the deportation of rejected asylum seekers from Germany.

DW, Zaman Al-Wasl

US cancels temporary protected status for Syrians

Al Jazeera — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 06:01:00 +0300

The United States has ended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Syria, warning Syrian migrants they now face arrest and deportation if they do not leave the country within 60 days.

The action on Friday came as part of US President Donald Trump’s broad effort to strip legal status from migrants.

It will terminate TPS for more than 6,000 Syrians who have had access to the legal status since 2012, according to a Federal Register notice posted Friday.

“Conditions in Syria no longer prevent their nationals from returning home,” Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.

“Syria has been a hotbed of terrorism and extremism for nearly two decades, and it is contrary to our national interest to allow Syrians to remain in our country.”

The statement said Syrian nationals currently living in the US have 60 days to voluntarily depart the country and return home.

“After the 60 days have expired, any Syrian national admitted under TPS who have not begun their voluntary removal proceedings will be subject to arrest and deportation,” it said.

Trump, a Republican, has sought to end temporary legal status for hundreds of thousands of migrants in the US, including some who have lived and worked in the country legally for decades.

The administration has said deportation protections were overused in the past and that many migrants no longer merit protections.

Democrats and advocates for the migrants have said that TPS enrollees could be forced to return to dangerous conditions and that US employers depend on their labour.

Trump has previously ended the status for Venezuelans, Hondurans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, Ukrainians and thousands of others.

Limited return of Syrian refugees from Germany

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 21:21:23 +0300

The German Federal Ministry of the Interior revealed that 1,867 Syrians had returned to their homeland by the end of August with funding from the German federal government.

The ministry added, according to the German news agency DPA, that the government provides support to refugees who wish to return to their homeland, such as funding voluntary return trips.

According to the German Ministry of the Interior, 83,150 former Syrian citizens obtained German citizenship last year. Similar data is not yet available for this year.

Meanwhile, Syrians continue to arrive in Germany to apply for asylum. 17,650 Syrians filed asylum applications with the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees from the beginning of January through the end of August 2025.

UN says over 200,000 Syrian refugees return from Lebanon

AFP — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 15:59:00 +0300

More than 200,000 Syrian refugees have returned to their homeland from neighboring Lebanon this year following the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, a United Nations official told AFP.

The Syrian civil war, which erupted in 2011 with Assad’s brutal repression of anti-government protests, displaced half of the population internally or abroad.

But the December 8 ouster of the former Syrian president at the hands of opposition forces sparked hopes of return.

Lebanese authorities recently introduced a plan offering $100 in aid and exemptions from fines for refugees leaving the country, provided they pledge not to return as asylum seekers.

“Since the beginning of this year, we’re looking at about 200,000 Syrians that have gone back, most of them on their own,” said Kelly Clements, deputy high commissioner at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).

“That number is increasing very quickly,” she told AFP in an interview.

While many Syrians are heading back to Hama, Homs and Aleppo, most refugees remain in Lebanon where humanitarian needs remain high amid shrinking aid budgets.

Clements stressed the UNHCR was not encouraging returns, describing it as “an individual choice for each family to make.”

Lebanese authorities estimate that the country hosts about 1.5 million Syrian refugees. The United Nations says it has registered more than 755,000.

UNHCR support for returnees includes small-scale housing repairs, cash assistance and core relief items, though more intensive reconstruction is beyond the agency’s capacity.

About 80 percent of Syrian housing was damaged during the civil war, with one in three families needing housing support, according to Clement.

The majority of Syrians who fled the 14-year civil war to Lebanon remain there, she noted, with needs remaining high as humanitarian aid decreases.

“You see the Lebanon budget decreasing, you see the Syrian budget increasing,” she said, pointing out however that the UNHCR’s 2025 plan only reached a fifth of its needed funds.

The agency is unable to determine whether Syria as a whole was safe to return to, she said, as parts of Syria were “safe and peaceful” while other parts were “less secure.”

According to the UN, over two million Syrian refugees and internally displaced people returned to their areas of origin since the opposition-led offensive toppled Assad.

However, around 13.5 million Syrians remain displaced internally or abroad.

The new authorities are dealing with a devastated economy and destroyed infrastructure, with the majority of citizens living below the poverty line, according to the UN.

Turkey: As Syrians number declines, What challenges face mass return?

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 11:10:34 +0300

The number of Syrian refugees in Turkey has declined to 2.5 million, according to official Turkish figures, amid expectations from Ankara of an increase in the rate of voluntary returns.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya confirmed that the number of Syrian refugees residing in Turkey has declined to 2.5 million, after approximately 450,000 returned since the fall of the ousted president's regime in late 2024. He pointed out that the number of Syrians has declined significantly over the past three years, when the number of refugees registered under temporary protection was 3.5 million in 2022.

Since the fall of the regime, the number of Syrian refugees who have left Turkey has reached nearly half a million. Turkish political analyst Yusuf Katipoğlu believes this number indicates a strong desire among refugees to return to their country.

However, he stresses that Turkey is not about to force Syrian refugees to return to their country. He told Arabi21, "Turkey announced that return would be voluntary and safe, and has worked to do so by supporting the new Syrian government to enable the return of refugees. This can be seen in the return of half a million refugees since the change of power in Syria."

As for the remaining Syrian refugees, Katoglu asserts that "Turkey welcomes their presence, and anyone holding a temporary protection card (kimlik) will not be forced to return."

He emphasized that "Turkey does not consider refugees a burden, but rather an added value to Turkish society and the economy, especially since a large number of them are fluent in Turkish and familiar with Turkish culture, which, in his opinion, means they are the best ambassadors for the country."

Turkish Policy Towards Syrian Refugees

Turkish political analyst Abdullah Suleymanoglu agrees with Katoglu, considering that Turkey's policy towards the Syrian refugee issue is stable. He explained that "the increase in the number of Syrian refugees returning to their country remains dependent on stability in Syria, and we expect an increase in the pace of return before the start of the new school year."

Suleiman Oglu added to Arabi21 that "what is delaying the full return of Syrians is the lack of ready-made housing and the scarcity of job opportunities in Syria, despite the high cost of living in Turkey, including high rents and services."

Suleiman Oglu continued, "All countries experiencing wars do not record the rapid return of all refugees, and in Turkey we are accustomed to refugees of various nationalities remaining despite the end of the war in their countries."

He pointed out that a large number of Syrians have obtained Turkish citizenship, saying, "Therefore, some of these may not return to Syria, and parents may return without their children." He added, "However, the improvement of the economic and service situation in Syria certainly paves the way for the return of a large number of refugees."

For her part, Kinda Hawasli, Director of the Community Unit at the Syrian Dialogue Center, pointed out the absence of a plan to end the presence of Syrian refugees in Turkey and other host countries, particularly European ones.

In an interview with Arabi21, Hawasli confirmed that host countries are monitoring the situation in Syria, considering it safe, which would allow for a reconsideration of the refugee situation. She explained, "In Turkey's case, it seems Ankara wants a portion of the refugees to return to reduce their numbers and satisfy domestic public opinion. As for the rest, their presence serves Turkey's interests and its economy."

She noted what she considered a "shock to the Turkish labor market" if all Syrian refugees returned to their country, saying, "Turkey has left the decision to the personal desires of the refugees."

When asked why half a million refugees have returned since the fall of the regime, while the largest number remain, she said, "This is due to the circumstances of Syrian families. This means that families with good financial incomes have remained in Turkey, as have families whose members study in Turkish schools."

Home Insurance

Hawasli also noted that Syrian families are trying to save money before returning to their country, explaining that "returning requires providing housing in Syria. With the fall of the regime, Syrians' confidence in their country's future has increased, and they are now planning to secure housing. It is well known that the cost of reconstruction in Syria is high."

According to UN reports, humanitarian and logistical challenges remain in Syria, with returnees facing widespread destruction of their homes, collapsed infrastructure, and a lack of basic services such as electricity, water, health, and education, in addition to the remnants of war scattered throughout many areas.

All of this is compounded by fear of the future, as the situation in Syria remains explosive, especially given the unresolved fate of areas controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the northeast of the country and in Sweida in the south.

Arabi21

Scandal of refugee data leak at Belgian reception center

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 07:04:00 +0300

Belgian media revealed a scandal involving the leak of personal data on hundreds of asylum seekers in the country. Official files were found in a dumpster at the Tioux camp in Wallonia, a temporary reception center run by Fidasil during the winter.

The scandal coincided with new decisions to suspend the processing of Syrian asylum applications until the end of October, at a time when criticism of the conditions of reception centers is growing following the recording of more than 1,200 violent incidents in and around them in 2024.

According to VTM, the documents included complete asylum applications, photos, names, dates of birth, and family and medical information for at least 250 asylum seekers from countries including Syria, Gaza, Niger, Rwanda, Eritrea, Angola, Burkina Faso, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The incident sparked widespread controversy over Fidasil's weak data protection practices and its clear violation of European data protection laws. Media reports also warned of the danger of this information reaching the authorities in countries of origin, especially if asylum applications are rejected and applicants are forced to return.

For its part, Vidasil acknowledged the incident and announced an internal investigation to determine responsibility, confirming that it is investigating whether the incident was the result of individual employee error or negligence during the departure of some residents.

The current total number of Syrian refugees in Belgium is approximately 3,000 with protection status, in addition to a number still awaiting a decision or expatriates not identified in these statistics.

According to the Asylum Information Database, 2,682 Syrians were granted refugee status in Belgium by 2023. In 2024, 5,617 Syrians submitted asylum applications, of whom 2,765 were granted refugee protection, 166 were granted subsidiary protection, and 709 were rejected.

Fares Al-Rifai - Zaman Al-Wasl

About 800,000 Syrians returned home since December: UNHCR

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 21:37:04 +0300

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that the number of Syrian refugees returning to their country from neighboring countries since the fall of the former regime on December 8, 2024, until August 14, 2024, has reached 779,473.

In its periodic report, the UNHCR explained that the return movement also included internally displaced persons (IDPs), with approximately 1,694,418 returning to their homes during the same period.

According to the report, the number of Syrian refugees returning from Jordan alone has exceeded 133,000 since last December.

In a statement to SANA, UNHCR spokesperson in Syria, Celine Schmitt, affirmed the UNHCR's commitment to continuing to support returnees who have decided to return despite the challenges, particularly financial ones. She noted that many of them find their homes destroyed and basic service infrastructure damaged.

Schmitt highlighted the need for support beyond humanitarian aid, explaining that the UNHCR continues to coordinate with development agencies to mobilize the necessary support.

Between August 6 and 12, UNHCR facilitated the safe and voluntary return of Syrian refugees through the Bab al-Hawa, al-Salama, and Jousseh border crossings, with 318 families, comprising 776 individuals, returning.

These Conditions for successful return of Syrian refugees: American magazine

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 10:18:00 +0300

A report published by the American magazine The National Interest by writer Ivar Jansen confirms that the path to safe return to Syria after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime remains fraught with obstacles. This is because the new Syrian government needs a plan supported by strong international funding, effective oversight mechanisms, and broad political support to achieve the desired success.

The magazine added that the issue of when Syria will be ready to receive millions of its displaced citizens occupies a prominent position in European political discourse.

After the fall of the Assad regime and the formation of a transitional government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, many European Union countries succumbed to internal pressure and began suspending asylum applications and considering the deportation of Syrian refugees.

With approximately 14 million Syrians displaced worldwide, including 6 million in neighboring countries and Europe, pressure is mounting to find urgent solutions.

Is Syria Ready?

In his report, author Jansen notes that approximately half a million Syrians have already returned, but they have encountered a difficult reality, characterized by continued intermittent violence, poor security, the destruction of infrastructure, and the collapse of services.

Janssen believes this reality weakens the possibility of reintegration and raises doubts about the feasibility of mass return.

On the humanitarian front, the author warns that the Syrian health system is suffering from numerous problems, given the shortage of doctors and equipment, along with the rising number of injuries from landmines and remnants of war. Any large-scale return threatens to plunge the health system into a deeper crisis.

He emphasized that the government has made promises to hold elections and ensure the protection of minorities, which has strengthened the argument that Syria is now safe for its people to return, especially with the lifting of some US and European sanctions. However, the author says that the fundamental question is: Is Syria truly ready?

He notes that the social and political fabric remains fragile, and any hasty return could lead to renewed displacement if unrest resumes. Therefore, Jansen emphasizes the need for return to be gradual, cautious, and linked to the realities on the ground. International Support

Jensen explains that international support is a key factor at this stage, noting that Gulf states have begun providing aid, while the European Union has allocated €2.5 billion for stabilization programs.

However, in his opinion, the amount of funding remains below the required level, emphasizing that it should be directed thoughtfully toward reconciliation projects, community security, and reintegration programs.

He stated that the issue of property rights remains a prominent challenge facing the return of refugees, as the laws of the former regime still legalize the confiscation of displaced persons' property without guarantees. The report proposes the establishment of an independent international commission to resolve property disputes, similar to the experience of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a prerequisite for a safe and sustainable return.

The author concludes that Syria will not be ready to return its people until four basic pillars are met: security and protection of minorities, rebuilding health facilities and services, addressing the mine crisis, and guaranteeing property rights.

Until this is achieved, the return of refugees remains subject to a long process that requires patience, funding, and societal and political reconciliation, the author emphasizes.

Turkey reports mass return by Syrians

AFP — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 06:15:00 +0300

More than 410,00 Syrians who fled to Turkey during the rule of Bashar al-Assad have returned home since he was overthrown in December, the government announced Thursday.

Turkey’s interior ministry said 411,649 Syrians had so far returned, the rate picking up in recent weeks, with the immigration service recording 140,000 returns since mid-June.

In June Filippo Grandi, head of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR), said 600,000 Syrians had returned homme from neighboring countries.

Syria has seen outbreaks of violence in recent weeks.

Around 2.5 million Syrian refugees still live in Turkey, according to the latest figures, released in early August.
In 2021, Turkey said up to 3.7 million Syrians had taken refuge in the country.

EU: Dismantling migrant smuggling network led by Syrians

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 18:33:00 +0300

In a coordinated security operation between Germany, the Netherlands, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, five individuals suspected of involvement in smuggling hundreds of migrants, mostly Syrians, to Western European countries via the so-called "Balkan Route" were arrested.

The NOS website reported that these raids included the Dutch city of Houten, where the Royal Dutch Police arrested a 26-year-old Syrian man based on a European arrest warrant issued by German authorities, pending his extradition to Berlin. In Germany, police raided the cities of Dortmund and Bochum and arrested one suspect, while security forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina arrested three others.

According to a statement issued by Munich police, the raids in the three countries resulted in the seizure of significant evidence, including smartphones, vehicles used in smuggling operations, and small quantities of drugs.

Investigations led by Eurojust revealed that the criminal network had smuggled at least 500 migrants since 2021, using a route from Greece through the Balkans to Western Europe. It is estimated that the organization was charging approximately €4,500 per person, with revenues of at least €1-4 million.

This operation is part of broader European efforts to combat human smuggling networks, whose activities have increased in recent years amid ongoing humanitarian crises and armed conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa.

The "Balkan Route" is one of the most prominent irregular migration routes to Europe, with thousands of migrants taking it annually from Turkey and Greece, passing through Balkan countries such as North Macedonia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and reaching Western Europe. Despite tightened border controls in recent years, this route remains active, with criminal networks exploiting migrants' need to escape war and poverty.

Fares Al-Rifai - Zaman Al-Wasl

Cyprus deports Syrian refugees, claiming they pose threat to national security

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 00:06:00 +0300

Cypriot authorities have begun deporting a number of Syrian refugees, whom they consider a "threat to public order and national security," in an escalating move that follows months of intensive security vetting of Syrian asylum seekers.

According to the Cypriot website Sigma Life, the Ministry of Migration and International Protection, in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and the Police, has already begun deporting Syrians described as a "security risk." The report asserts that the measures follow systematic coordination with relevant authorities and are based on extensive security assessments.

The report indicated that the Cypriot Deputy Minister of Migration is working in cooperation with the Minister of Justice and the President of the Republic at the European Union level. A recent bilateral meeting was held with the Austrian Minister of the Interior to exchange expertise on security deportation issues, amid what observers consider an increasing European trend toward stricter treatment of refugees.

Austria is the first European country to begin deporting Syrians on security grounds, while Cyprus has begun adopting a similar approach amid calls for unified European policies toward refugees.

Suspension of Asylum Applications and Rising Numbers

In April 2024, Cyprus announced the suspension of asylum applications for Syrians, a decision later adopted by other European countries. By the end of 2024, the number of pending applications exceeded 14,000, with expectations that the suspension will continue until early 2026.

Official statistics showed that Syrians accounted for 53% of all asylum applications submitted in 2023, compared to 23% the previous year.

At the same time, Cyprus launched one of the largest voluntary return programs in the European Union, with more than 3,000 Syrian refugees leaving the island in recent months.

From December 9, 2024, to January 31, 2025, 944 individuals withdrew their asylum applications, and 423 others renounced their protection status.

The Cypriot government encourages these returns through financial incentives of up to €2,000 per adult and €1,000 per child, in addition to a three-year residency and work permit for a family member.

On the other hand, international human rights organizations have expressed concern about these measures, accusing Cyprus of violating the principle of non-refoulement, particularly through deportations and naval deterrence. The Cypriot government, however, maintains that all measures are in line with international law and enjoy increasing European support.

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Belgium closes shelters to asylum seekers in Europe

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:06:00 +0300

Belgian authorities announced the implementation of a new set of strict asylum laws and procedures, effective Monday. Asylum seekers who have previously received protection in any other European Union member state will no longer be able to receive shelter in Belgium.

Belgian Minister of Asylum and Migration Anneleen Van Bossuyt said this step is part of what she described as "crisis measures," agreed upon as part of the government's Easter agreement to address the growing pressure on the refugee reception network.

According to the belganewsagency website, Belgium has been experiencing significant pressure on refugee accommodation centers for years. Last year, the country received 40,000 asylum applications, including 15,000 applications from people who had already received protection or had an ongoing asylum application in another European country, such as France, Germany, or the Netherlands.

The Belgian government believes that continuing to receive these individuals exacerbates the housing and shelter crisis and hinders the provision of protection to those who have not yet received any form of asylum.

Van Bossuyt said, "Asylum means protection. Those who receive this protection in another country within Europe no longer make sense to occupy a place in our shelters. We are putting an end to the search for the best host country."

The minister explained that the Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGVS) will work to expedite the processing of asylum seekers whose applications were previously rejected in other European countries, automatically deeming their applications inadmissible in Belgium. This is expected to significantly reduce the pressure on the Belgian reception system.

In addition to halting the accommodation of externally protected refugees, the Belgian government will begin implementing a series of other measures, most notably: tightening the conditions for family reunification starting in mid-August, with the aim of reducing the influx of refugee family members into the country.

The government will also abolish the right to apply for new asylum through a minor child if the first application is rejected, unless the applicant presents substantial new evidence. The government says this measure aims to prevent what it describes as "the exploitation of children to prolong procedures and secure shelter."

Those without shelter rights are denied adequate basic income, placing additional pressure on those trying to remain in the country without legal status.

These measures come in the context of a new Belgian policy, considered one of the strictest in the country's history regarding immigration and asylum, amid criticism from human rights organizations that it could increase the suffering of refugees and push some into more precarious living conditions.

However, the government insists that these policies are necessary to relieve pressure on the reception system and ensure genuine protection for those most in need of asylum, in accordance with European Union standards and the Geneva Refugee Convention.

The number of Syrian refugees who received protection status (refugee or subsidiary protection) in Belgium amounted to approximately 2,774 Syrians out of the total asylum applications in 2024, according to the AIDA report issued in June 2025 on the asylum situation in Belgium.

Previous reports indicated that approximately 35,000 Syrians have been granted asylum in Belgium since the outbreak of the Syrian revolution in 2011.

In 2021 alone, the number of Syrians who obtained Belgian citizenship reached approximately 3,287, indicating the presence of a large Syrian community that has surpassed the number of asylum seekers in previous years.

Zaman Al-Wasl

First voluntary return convoy transports 72 Syrian refugees from Lebanon

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:15:19 +0300

The UN refugees agency (UNHCR) announced on Tuesday the launch of the first convoy of Syrian refugees voluntarily returning from Lebanon to Syria, as part of the "Organized Voluntary Return" program.

Celine Schmitt, UNHCR spokesperson in Syria, told SANA that the convoy included 72 Syrian refugees, some of whose families headed to Homs in central Syria, while others headed to areas in the Damascus countryside, including Qatana, Zabadani, Babila, Nashabiyah, and Daraya.

Schmitt confirmed that UNHCR, in coordination with its counterpart in Lebanon and the General Authority of Syrian Land and Sea Ports, provided transportation and belongings for the returnees, in addition to providing support for their reintegration into their communities.

She noted that more than 17,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon had registered their interest in the return program by July 14 and received counseling on the steps and consequences of the process. She explained that returnees will be connected to UNHCR-supported community centers to receive essential services, such as legal and psychological support, livelihood opportunities, and other protection services.

The crossing manager, Abdul Razzaq Al-Masry, said that the relevant authorities have worked to facilitate procedures, exempt returnees from fees, and provide them with the necessary services.

The Lebanese government estimates the number of Syrian refugees on its territory at approximately 1.8 million, of whom approximately 880,000 are officially registered with UNHCR.

Zaman Al-Wasl

Lebanon: Alarming Rise in Attacks and Forced Deportations of Syrian Refugees

Zaman Al Wasl — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 14:16:00 +0300

Lebanon witnessed a significant escalation in its security campaign against Syrian refugees between July 17 and 24, including shootings, arrests, and forced displacement. This came amid increasing pressure and rising security tensions in areas such as the Bekaa Valley, Nabatieh, and Batroun.

The Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR) documented a group of Syrian refugees being shot at from an unknown vehicle in the town of Batloun-Al Ali, seriously wounding one refugee who was subsequently hospitalized. The incident resulted in a mass exodus of Syrian families, who left the town amidst heightened security tensions and a heavy military presence.

The Lebanese Forces launched an arrest campaign in the town of Mansourieh, Metn District, where 169 Syrian refugees were detained in an unfinished building and deported back to Syria without due process or consideration for their humanitarian conditions.

64 Syrian Refugees Arrested

According to the Center, units from the Lebanese Army and Military Intelligence carried out a raid in the town of Dahr al-Ahmar in Rashaya, arresting 64 Syrian refugees, most of whom were registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)—including men, women, and children. Three motorcycles were also confiscated, and the detainees were referred for investigation.

The Lebanese Army announced that it had arrested 229 Syrian refugees on charges of illegal entry during raids and checkpoints in various areas. They are currently being investigated under judicial supervision.

Syrian refugee Bashar A. M. (registered with UNHCR) was subjected to severe physical assault, including beatings and torture, during a security raid in Chekka, Batroun District. At the time of writing, authorities had not issued any official comment regarding the arrest or ill-treatment.

A clash also broke out between Lebanese youths and Syrian refugees in Kfar Riman, Nabatieh, following an alleged attack by a refugee on a house. Security forces intervened and arrested a number of refugees, with no official statements or independent confirmations so far.

A joint force of the army and military intelligence carried out raids, arresting more than 80 Syrian refugees—including minors and the elderly—in the towns of Chekka, Al-Hiri, Anfeh, and Amyoun in the Koura district. The arrests were made on the grounds of lack of legal residency, despite some of them being registered with UNHCR.

On July 18, Lebanese forces raided the Syrian refugee camp in the town of Al-Halaniyeh in the Baalbek district, arresting several people on charges of illegal entry or lack of residency, as part of a broader security operation in the Bekaa Valley and the northern regions.

Context and Comprehensive Assessment

These developments come amid an escalating security campaign against Syrian refugees, including mass arrests, forced deportations, and cases of torture, amid a near-absence of official transparency and accountability.

Human rights organizations, including Women Journalists Without Chains and the Syrian Emergency Task Force, have called for an urgent stand to condemn these violations and take measures to prevent forced returns in violation of international law—including the principle of non-refoulement.

Lebanon resumed "voluntary return" mechanisms coordinated with UNHCR and the Syrian government last April, but reports show a continued increase in arbitrary deportations and arbitrary detentions that lack oversight or legal safeguards.

The current conditions for Syrian refugees in Lebanon reveal an increased risk of abuses, both from security measures and inflammatory political rhetoric. Documenting and addressing these incidents by the international community and human rights organizations is essential, particularly to ensure refugees are protected from arbitrary detention, violence, and forced return to a potentially lethal environment.

The Access Center for Human Rights (ACHR) is a non-profit, non-governmental human rights organization founded in Lebanon in 2017 and re-established in France in 2020. It comprises a group of human rights defenders with expertise in the legal field and local and international advocacy.

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35 refugee families return from Lebanon to Qusayr city

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 13:28:00 +0300

Thirty-five Syrian families returned from Lebanese camps to the city of Qusayr and its countryside in the southern Homs countryside on Thursday, as part of a new "voluntary return" convoy, without any UN sponsorship or support from international organizations.

A Zaman al-Wasl correspondent monitored the convoy's entry through the Jossieh border crossing, confirming that all returnees hailed from the city of Qusayr and its surroundings.

This limited return coincided with statements by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who emphasized that Lebanon could no longer bear the burden of refugees remaining. He called for the acceleration of safe, dignified, and coordinated returns, emphasizing that international support must be channeled into Syria to support stability there.

The Lebanese authorities recently announced new measures to encourage Syrian and Palestinian refugees returning from Syria, enabling them to leave Lebanon via land crossings, whether they entered the country legally or illegally, without paying fees or fines, and without having an entry ban issued against them.

These facilities are valid for the period from July 1 to September 30, 2025.

774 unaccompanied refugee children disappeared in Belgium in 2024: Report

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:15:00 +0300

A total of 774 unaccompanied refugee children went missing in Belgium in 2024, with at least 101 cases classified as particularly alarming, according to the daily De Standaard.

On average, nearly 15 unaccompanied minors vanished each week. Only 246 were eventually located, while over 500 remain untraceable.

The alarming cases involve minors under 13, children with medical needs, or those last seen in unsafe circumstances.

"Children who flee unaccompanied by an adult are extremely vulnerable. The fact that our government cannot even protect these children is a sad failure," said Green Party MP Matti Vandemaele, who obtained the figures.

He urged Belgium's ministers of asylum and justice to take immediate action, including appointing guardians upon arrival and improving reception conditions to prevent disappearances.

Experts warn that some children are trafficked, exploited, or forced into crime, while others leave in fear after asylum rejection. Many disappear before being properly registered, making it difficult for organizations to intervene.

Between 2021 and 2023, 2,257 unaccompanied minors disappeared in Belgium, placing it among the top three countries in Europe.

Jordan: 97,000 Syrian refugees have returned since January

EQTSAD — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 14:46:00 +0300

Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen Faraya said that 97,000 Syrian refugees have voluntarily returned from Jordan to their country since the beginning of this year.

Faraya added, in statements he made on Saturday, as reported by Al Mamlaka TV, that the Jaber border crossing witnessed the largest number of passengers and cargo since its opening before Eid al-Adha.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had previously confirmed that more than 100,000 Syrian refugees had voluntarily returned from Jordan to their country between December 8, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

The UNHCR expects the rate of Syrian refugee returns to increase after the end of the high school exam period in Jordan.

Austria deports Syrian convict in EU first since Assad’s fall

AFP — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 13:14:00 +0300

Austria on Thursday deported a Syrian criminal convict back to Syria, becoming the first EU country to do so officially “in recent years”, the interior ministry said.

Austria has been pushing to be able to deport Syrians back since the ouster of Syria’s leader Bashar al-Assad in December.

“The deportation carried out today is part of a strict and thus fair asylum policy,” Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said in a statement sent to AFP.

The ministry said it was the first deportation of a Syrian directly to Syria in about 15 years, and Austria was the “first European country to officially deport a Syrian criminal directly to Syria in recent years.”

Karner travelled to Syria with his German counterpart Nancy Faeser in April to discuss deportations, among other topics.

Karner, from the governing conservative People’s Party (OeVP), on Thursday vowed to “continue this chosen path with hard work and determination.”

Austria was among European Union nations that suspended all Syrian asylum applications after Assad’s ouster. It also stopped family reunifications.

Some 100,000 Syrians live in Austria, one of the biggest diaspora in Europe.

Austria’s anti-migration far right topped national elections in September though they were unable to find partners to govern, leaving the runner-up conservatives to form a new government.

Turkey's Kilis sees sharp drop in rents as Syrian refugees return

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:59:00 +0300

The city of Kilis, in southern Turkey, has witnessed a significant decline in residential rental prices due to the return of increasing numbers of Syrian refugees to their country. This has led to a sharp decline in demand for apartments and has had a direct impact on the city's real estate market.

According to local reports, rental prices have fallen by up to 50% compared to last year. Apartments that were previously rented for 15,000 Turkish liras per month have now fallen to around 7,000 liras, amid increasing difficulty finding tenants even with these significant discounts.

The Bigpara website quoted several real estate agents as saying that this decline accelerated with the end of the school year and the release of school report cards, as many Syrians chose to return to their areas within Syria, easing the population pressure on the city.

Mehmet Cavusturan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Cavusturan Real Estate, confirmed that the price decline was not uniform across all of the city's neighborhoods. He explained that neighborhoods inhabited by groups such as state employees—such as Yeni Beşifler and Kazım Karabakir—have witnessed relative stability, unlike the working-class neighborhoods that have witnessed a significant decline in prices.

Cavusturan noted that some apartments, particularly older ones with traditional stoves, are being offered for prices starting at 2,000 Turkish liras per month, but are finding no renters. He added, "Even homes with natural gas are now being offered for between 5,000 and 6,000 liras, and in some cases even less."

These shifts reflect the impact of demographic changes in the city, as thousands of Syrian families have returned to their country since the fall of the Assad regime, particularly through the Öncüpınar border crossing. Kilis is one of the Turkish provinces that has hosted a high percentage of Syrian refugees, representing more than 26% of the province's population.

The return of Syrians has contributed to a reduction in rental demand, which has pleased some local residents, but has posed a major challenge for real estate agents, who are currently suffering from an unprecedented market downturn.

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With start of school holidays, one million Syrians expected to return from Turkey

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 20:11:11 +0300

Observers expect hundreds of thousands of Syrians, and perhaps more than a million, to return with the end of the school year in Turkey, which falls on June 20.

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper reported that the return of Syrians from Turkey to their country was linked to the end of the school year and obtaining official documents so their children could complete their education in Syria. It noted that indications of return are also evident in the statements of dozens of Syrians and the display of some of their properties in Turkey.

In an interview with the newspaper, Ghazwan Qarnaful, head of the Syrian Lawyers Association in Turkey, predicted that the number of returnees after the closure of schools would reach approximately one and a half million Syrians. He attributed the reasons to the wait for educational documents, the high cost of living in Turkey, and the liberation of Syria, which would thus eliminate the reason for seeking asylum.

Inas Ziadeh, a member of the Syrian-Turkish Joint Committee, predicted that large numbers of Syrians would return this year, with only about one million Syrians likely to remain in Turkey, the majority of whom hold Syrian citizenship or are business owners. Ziadeh noted that owning a home in Syria is one of the most important reasons for return, while those without a home or job may remain for a period, especially since Türkiye does not require any Syrian to return. For his part, Jalal Demir, the former director of the Nizip refugee camp, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed: "It is likely that more than one million Syrians will return, and their return has been delayed due to the lack of schools. Syria has become free and promising, even for non-Syrians. Many see a quick return as a way to secure a job, before rents rise. At the same time, we have noticed the disappearance of manifestations of hatred and violence against Syrians, even in the provinces whose municipalities are headed by opposition parties that led previous racist campaigns."

The number of Syrian students in Turkey in 2024 reached 819,265, distributed among 103,000 students in secondary school, 273,000 in middle school, 398,000 in primary school, and approximately 44,000 in kindergarten. More than 60,000 Syrians are also receiving education at Turkish universities, and more than 17,000 Syrians graduated from Turkish universities as of last year.

Official data reveals that 238,000 Syrians under temporary protection have exceptionally obtained Turkish citizenship. Of these naturalized individuals, 134,422 are adults and 100,633 are children.

The newspaper concluded its report by stating that high living costs in Turkey remain the primary reason behind the decision of many Syrians to return. The minimum wage, which is approximately 22,000 Turkish liras, barely covers rent and basic living expenses in remote provinces, while the average rent in Istanbul is no less than 20,000 Turkish liras (one US dollar equals 39 Turkish liras).

It is worth noting that, over the past six months, approximately 273,000 Syrians have returned to Syria from Turkey, out of a total of more than 3 million Syrian refugees, according to recent statements by Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.

Eqtsad

Syrian refugees: Restrictions mount on family reunification in Germany

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 06:36:00 +0300

More than 400,000 migrants are still eagerly awaiting the opportunity to join their families residing in Germany, amid complex administrative procedures, burdensome bureaucracy, and strict legal regulations that hamper their right to family reunification, particularly for those with subsidiary protection status.

According to data from the German Foreign Ministry, waiting lists for family reunification visas are constantly growing, making the hope of joining relatives more distant and complicated than ever.

The right to family reunification for those with subsidiary protection status was first established in 2015, under former Chancellor Angela Merkel. However, the decision was suspended in 2016 and reinstated in 2018 with stricter conditions, most notably a limit of 1,000 visas per month, which has led to waiting periods extending to several years.

According to the German newspaper Bild, German embassies issued approximately 120,000 family reunification visas in 2024, of which only 12,000 were for relatives of those granted subsidiary protection.

Syrians led the way (approximately 20,000 cases), followed by Iranians (4,400), Afghans (2,600), and Iraqis (1,300).

Family reunification opportunities are limited to the nuclear family (husband or wife, minor children, and their parents, if resident). Proof of financial support and adequate housing are required, along with German language proficiency certificates for the spouse seeking to join. This is excepted in certain humanitarian cases or for those with refugee status.

In contrast, EU citizens and their family members enjoy more flexible legal treatment, as they are not required to obtain a visa, prove their income, or prove their language skills, which many human rights activists consider clear legal discrimination.

Although those granted subsidiary protection are granted a three-year residency permit, the ability to work, and receive assistance, the right to family reunification remains restricted, compounding the suffering of thousands of families living in forced separation and open-ended waiting.

The new German government—which includes a coalition of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU)—plans to tighten family reunification procedures, particularly for Syrians, at a time when more than 229,000 people applied for asylum in 2024, most of them from Syria, Afghanistan, and Turkey.

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Two million Syrians return home since al-Assad’s fall: UN

AFP — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 10:50:00 +0300

Over two million Syrians who had fled their homes during their country’s war have returned since Bashar al-Assad’s overthrow in December, UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi said Thursday during a regional visit.

The Syrian civil war, which erupted in 2011 with al-Assad’s brutal repression of anti-government protests, displaced half of the population internally or abroad.

But al-Assad’s December 8 ouster at the hands of anti-government forces sparked hopes of return.

“Over two million Syrian refugees and displaced have returned home since December,” Grandi wrote on X during a visit to neighboring Lebanon, which hosts about 1.5 million Syrian refugees, according to official estimates.

It is “a sign of hope amid rising regional tensions,” said Grandi, who is due to visit Syria on Friday.

“This proves that we need political solutions -- not another wave of instability and displacement.”

After 14 years of war, many returnees face the reality of finding their homes and property badly damaged or destroyed.

But with the recent lifting of Western sanctions on Syria, the new authorities hope for international support to launch reconstruction, which the UN estimates could cost more than $400 billion.

In his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, Grandi discussed “how to increase opportunities for Syrian refugees to return home,” the top UN official said in post on X.

“Many refugees have already made that choice. But for returns to be sustainable, Syria needs more and faster international support,” he added.

Aoun, according to a presidency statement, stressed it was necessary for Syrian refugees to return “to their homeland, after the reasons for their displacement are gone”.

The Lebanese government has drafted a plan for the gradual return of refugees to Syria, expecting to see up to 300,000 of them return home by September, according to Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri in an interview earlier this month.

The plan, according to Mitri, would involve granting each refugee $100 upon their departure -- when they would also have to pledge to not return to Lebanon as refugees -- and exempting Syrians whose documents had expired from any fines.

Earlier this month, Grandi’s agency, UNHCR, estimated that by the end of 2025, up to 1.5 million Syrians may return home from abroad as well as some two million internally displaced people.

Kurdistan facilitates residence and return of Syrian refugees

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:04:00 +0300

The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq announced a series of new measures for Syrian citizens residing in its territory, aiming to rectify their legal status, exempt them from accumulated late fees, and facilitate the return of those unable to bear the travel expenses to their homeland.

An official decision was issued granting a grace period of 60 working days, starting from the date of the decision, to all Syrian citizens whose "residence permits have expired, or who entered the Kurdistan Region but have not initiated the application procedures for residency."

These citizens are required to visit the residency directorates in the governorates of the region to renew or obtain a one-year residency permit, according to Form (20), with full exemption from late fees.

Cancellation of Late Fees

The decision also allows Syrian citizens covered by Article (First) who wish to return to Syria to leave the region without paying any late fees, whether related to non-renewal or failure to obtain residency.

Those wishing to leave must visit the Residency Directorates to obtain a one-time exit stamp to officially return to Syria via Erbil International Airport.

The decision also indicated that Syrians wishing to return to their country, but who are unable to cover the cost of air travel due to financial circumstances, can visit the Residency Directorates to obtain an exit stamp and benefit from exemption from fines. They can also register their names on the land flight lists via the Fishkhabur border crossing, where the Kurdistan Regional Government will cover their return expenses.

The government also called on all Residency Directorates to form special committees to implement these facilities quickly and effectively.

Erbil is the largest host city for refugees

According to statistics issued by the United Nations by the end of 2023, Iraq hosts more than 300,000 refugees and asylum seekers, more than 90% of whom (approximately 270,000 refugees) are Syrians.

Approximately 91% of these refugees reside in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, while the remainder are distributed across the central and southern governorates of federal Iraq.

Of the Syrian refugees in the region, 34% live in nine designated refugee camps, while 66% reside in urban areas. Erbil is the largest host city, followed by Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah. In the rest of federal Iraq, approximately 27,000 Syrian refugees reside, most of them (55%) in the capital, Baghdad.

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