German authorities have temporarily halted all decisions on Syrian asylum applications due to the increasingly uncertain political and security situation in Syria, local media reported on Monday. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) confirmed the suspension, citing the difficulty of assessing Syria’s evolving conditions.
This pause affects 47,270 pending asylum applications from Syrians, leaving tens of thousands of people in limbo. The move, reported by Der Spiegel, underscores the complexities of refugee management in a country that has been a key destination for Syrians fleeing war since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
Germany is home to approximately one million Syrians, the majority of whom arrived during the height of the migration crisis in 2015-2016. Many fled the violence and persecution that have defined Syria’s brutal conflict, seeking safety in Europe’s largest economy.
Among these individuals, about 321,500 have been granted refugee status under the 1951 Geneva Convention, while nearly 330,000 hold subsidiary protection permits. These permits provide temporary residence and limited rights, often leaving recipients uncertain about their long-term prospects.
Despite these protections, thousands of Syrians await decisions on their applications. With the BAMF’s temporary suspension, their wait has been indefinitely extended, deepening anxiety within refugee communities.
A spokesperson for BAMF explained the rationale behind the decision, emphasizing the volatile and unpredictable situation in Syria.
“Many refugees who have found protection in Germany now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland and rebuilding their country. However, the situation in Syria is currently very unclear,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
She added, “Concrete possibilities of return cannot yet be predicted at this moment, and it would be unprofessional to speculate about them in such a volatile situation. The further assessment of the status of Syrian refugees living in Germany also depends on further developments in Syria.”
While previously approved cases remain unaffected, the announcement highlights the challenges of formulating refugee policies amidst geopolitical instability.
Political Divisions Over Refugee Policy
The decision to suspend asylum decisions comes as refugee policy becomes a central issue ahead of Germany’s snap elections in February. Political leaders are deeply divided on how to handle Syrian refugees.
The conservative Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU), now in opposition, have advocated for a policy shift. Some members argue that conditions in parts of Syria have stabilized enough to allow for the return of refugees, a position echoed by right-leaning politicians across Europe.
However, Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) and their coalition partners, the Greens, have called for caution. They argue that Syria remains too dangerous for large-scale returns, citing reports of continued violence, human rights abuses, and political repression under the Assad regime.
“The CDU/CSU’s call for returns disregards the grim reality on the ground in Syria,” said Green Party MP Katrin Göring-Eckardt in a recent interview. “Forcing people to return to such conditions would not only endanger lives but also violate Germany’s commitment to human rights.”
Syria remains a deeply fractured nation after more than a decade of war. While President Bashar al-Assad has regained control of much of the country, the situation is far from stable. Persistent violence, economic collapse, and a lack of basic infrastructure plague large swathes of territory.
The United Nations and human rights organizations have warned against premature returns, citing credible reports of arbitrary arrests, torture, and persecution of returnees by Syrian authorities.
Additionally, parts of northern Syria remain under the control of rebel factions and Kurdish forces, further complicating the picture.
“While some areas may appear calm, the overall security situation remains fragile, and the risk to returnees is high,” said Sarah Pritchett, a spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). “Forcing or encouraging returns under these conditions would be reckless.”
The BAMF’s decision has left many Syrian refugees in Germany feeling uncertain about their futures. For those awaiting decisions on their asylum applications, the suspension represents yet another obstacle in their pursuit of stability.
Ahmed Al-Mousa, a Syrian refugee living in Berlin, expressed frustration over the pause. “We came here to escape war and build a life in safety. This decision puts everything on hold—our dreams, our families, our futures.”
Others, however, view the suspension as an opportunity for Germany to reassess its approach to Syrian asylum seekers.
Rasha Al-Hassan, a refugee advocate and former lawyer from Damascus, said, “Germany has a moral responsibility to ensure that Syrians are not returned to danger. This pause allows for a more careful evaluation of Syria’s reality, but it must not lead to neglecting the needs of those already here.”
Germany’s pause on Syrian asylum decisions reflects broader tensions within the European Union over refugee policies. While Germany has been a leader in accepting refugees, other EU countries have taken more restrictive approaches, citing concerns over integration and social cohesion.
The issue of returning refugees to their home countries has also become a divisive topic. Some member states argue for a tougher stance, while others emphasize the need for solidarity and humane treatment of asylum seekers.
In 2023, the EU’s Frontex border agency reported a slight increase in irregular arrivals of migrants, including Syrians, raising concerns about future migration flows.
As Germany approaches its February elections, refugee policy is expected to remain a key issue. Politicians face the challenge of balancing humanitarian obligations with domestic concerns over integration and resources.
For the thousands of Syrians waiting for decisions on their asylum cases, the pause adds to their uncertainty. While the BAMF has stated that it will resume processing applications once conditions in Syria become clearer, there is no timeline for when that might happen.
