UK to pause Syrian asylum claims as Assad regime falls

The UK has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims due to the uncertainty following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime. It follows the decision of other countries, including Germany, Austria and Sweden, in suspending application decisions, after 13 years of civil war saw a coalition of rebel groups seize Damascus on Sunday.

- HOLLY EVANS

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "We know the situation in Syria is moving extremely fast after the fall of the Assad regime.

We have seen some people returning to Syria. We also have a very fast-moving situation that we need to closely monitor.

"And that is why, like Germany, like France and like other countries, we have paused asylum decisions on cases from Syria while the Home Office reviews and monitors the current situation."

Millions of Syrians fled the country after the outbreak of civil war and the Assad regime's brutal crackdown on opponents.

Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK but the Home Office said decisions on applications would now be paused while events unfold in Damascus. Syrians generated the fifth largest number of asylum claims in the year ending September 2024, Home Office statistics showed – behind Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh. Some 99 per cent of claims were granted at initial decision.

Speaking in parliament, foreign secretary David Lammy said it was “premature” to discuss resettlement schemes for Syrian refugees and the government was working to record human rights offences carried out by the Assad regime. He also appeared unaware of the government’s decision as he addressed MPs yesterday, saying he had not considered calls to suspend claims.