Number of European countries suspend consideration of asylum applications from Syrians
Illustrative photo: Syrian refugees will no longer be accepted in European countries (Getty Images)
Some European countries are halting the consideration of asylum applications from Syrians. The possibility of deportation is even being considered, Le Monde reports.
As reported by Le Monde, the authorities of several European countries have decided to suspend the consideration of asylum applications from Syrians starting today.
These countries include:
- Germany
- Austria
- Greece
- Sweden
- Norway
- Denmark
- the United Kingdom
Meanwhile, Austria's Interior Minister Gerhard Karner noted that he "instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation program to Syria."
Greece has also hinted at the return of Syrians. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated that the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime "should open the return path in total safety back to their homes for Syrian refugees" and "mark the end of the flux of refugees from this country."
The list of countries suspending asylum applications from Syrians may grow. The French Ministry of the Interior told Le Monde that it is currently considering such a decision.
In this context, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan promised to reopen the border crossing on Türkiye's southern border with Syria to facilitate the return of Syrians home.
"We are opening the Yayladagi border gate to crossings to prevent any congestion and ease traffic," said Erdoğan, referring to the crossing that had been closed since 2013.
Fall of Assad's regime
On December 8, rebels in Syria managed to take control of Damascus. At the same time, it became known that dictator Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow and announced a "peaceful transfer of power."
According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the fall of the regime in Syria was possible because Russia had deployed all of its powerful forces to the war in Ukraine.
