Despite Assad’s departure, Syria remains mired in uncertainty, with widespread destruction, a bankrupt state, and unclear governance. For many refugees, the road home remains fraught with obstaclesread more
Calls are growing among European politicians for more than a million Syrian refugees to return home following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.
However, many Syrians say the situation remains too uncertain for such a move.
Syrians who fled the 13-year civil war cite political instability after a weekend rebel offensive in Damascus and widespread destruction of infrastructure and housing.
‘Wait and see’
Omar al-Hajjar, a mason from Aleppo now living in Germany, said the conditions in Syria remain dire, Financial Times reported.
“Everyone I know wants to wait and see,” said al-Hajjar, who resettled in Berlin with his family in 2019. His properties in Aleppo were destroyed in bombings by Assad’s forces and Russian allies.
Germany, home to around 970,000 Syrian refugees, has been at the centre of Europe’s refugee response since former Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the doors to asylum seekers in 2015.
Only about 160,000 Syrians in Germany have obtained citizenship, leaving the rest vulnerable to policy changes. Migration lawyer Thomas Oberhäuser said returning refugees would require evidence that Syria is safe.
Migration is expected to be a contentious issue in the lead-up to snap elections in February. Politicians from Germany’s centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) are urging refugees to prepare for a return.
On Monday, Germany announced it was suspending asylum applications for Syrian nationals, a policy quickly echoed by the UK, France, Italy, and others. Austria unveiled plans for a repatriation program, while Sweden’s far-right Democrats leader Jimmie Åkesson said Syrians should see the fall of Assad as an “opportunity to go home,” according to Financial Times.
Advocacy groups slam calls for return
Advocacy groups criticised the shift. Frankfurt-based Pro Asyl urged European leaders to show solidarity with refugees instead of politicising their plight.
While some Syrians, including exiled activists, express a desire to return, many remain apprehensive.
Joumana Seif, a Berlin-based rights campaigner, said activists are eager to help rebuild but fear the influence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group leading the rebel offensive. She said she wants to “fight for our dream to be completed: a democratic modern country, with human rights protection and equality for everyone, including women.”
Others remain cautious about returning to a country with no clear government, institutions, or security. In Cyprus, a group of Syrians withdrew their asylum claims, citing optimism about Syria’s future, but others called the idea premature.
“There is no state, no police, no army, and Israel has taken half of Syria,” said Thabet Abbarah, a longtime resident of Cyprus.
Syrians across Europe voiced similar concerns. In Rome, refugees working at a nonprofit restaurant described mixed emotions over Assad’s fall. “It’s too soon to talk about going back,” said founder Shaza Saker, adding that Christian refugees feel particularly vulnerable.
Families with children said further upheaval would be difficult. “If I didn’t have kids I would return straight away,” said Ammar al-Rifai, a grocery worker in Berlin, whose children are now thriving in German schools.
Author :
Publish date : 2024-12-13 03:39:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
The post Europe has a new Syrian refugee problem, they don’t want to go home amid HTS takeover – Firstpost first appeared on Love Europe.
—-
Author : love-europe
Publish date : 2024-12-13 11:42:30
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.