Germany has announced plans to deport Syrian migrants, citing the end of the civil war in Syria. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the government now considers Syria safe for return, declaring, “The civil war in Syria is over. There are now absolutely no grounds for asylum in Germany, and therefore we can begin deportations.” The policy follows the conclusion of Syria’s long-running conflict in December 2024, when Bashar al-Assad was deposed after more than fifty years of family rule. A ten-day offensive brought to power Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda terrorist, marking the formal end of hostilities and the beginning of a fragile transitional government. Merz cited the political change as justification for ending asylum protections granted during the war.
The decision has sparked debate over the challenges faced by returning refugees, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul acknowledging that rebuilding lives in Syria would be “difficult to restore a life of dignity there,” citing widespread damage to infrastructure and persistent shortages of housing, electricity, and healthcare. Germany currently hosts one of the world’s largest Syrian diasporas, with reports estimating that roughly one in twenty Syrians now resides in the country. Critics highlight the welfare burden and integration issues fueling public resentment toward the migrant population.
Security concerns have further intensified the discussion, as data shows Syrian nationals are suspected in criminal cases at a rate more than five times higher than German citizens. High-profile incidents, including a July 2025 hammer attack on a Bavarian train, have reinforced calls for stricter immigration enforcement. Supporters of deportations argue that restoring national security and easing pressure on social services requires returning Syrians home now that the war is over. Merz maintains the policy reflects a necessary shift in line with Syria’s new reality, asserting Germany can no longer provide asylum when the original grounds for protection no longer exist.
