Millions of refugees can now return to Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. In response to the political changes, Germany and Austria have frozen new asylum applications from Syrians, citing the uncertainty surrounding Syria’s future governance.

Germany’s Federal Office for Migration and Refugees announced the pause on Monday. A spokesperson explained the decision, saying Syria’s political future remains “too uncertain.” This freeze impacts 47,270 applications but does not affect previously decided cases. Similarly, Austria confirmed it has paused 7,300 asylum applications, according to the Interior Ministry.

The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011 amid Arab Spring protests, displaced 14 million people. Approximately one million refugees fled to Germany alone.

End of Assad’s Rule Sparks New Hope

Hayʼat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) opposition forces declared victory in Damascus after weeks of intense fighting. Their success marked the end of Bashar al-Assad’s dynastic rule, signaling a major shift in Syria’s political landscape.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called the fall of Assad’s regime “good news for now.” He stressed the importance of restoring law and order in Syria and emphasized that future leaders would be judged by their ability to ensure dignity, sovereignty, and peace for all Syrians.

“We expect the new rulers to protect Syria’s sovereignty from external interference and foster peace with neighboring countries,” Scholz added.

The developments bring cautious optimism as millions of displaced Syrians consider the possibility of returning home. However, both Germany and Austria await clearer signs of stability before revising their asylum policies further.