German Chancellor Friedrich Merz argues against granting asylum to Syrians after al-Assad's regime fell, but critics warn the country remains unsafe for minorities and women.

Berlin

Following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz suggested that Germany should stop granting asylum to Syrians. However, activist Tarek Al-Aws cautioned that Syria remains unsafe for minorities, women, and other vulnerable groups, citing ongoing persecution by the new interim leadership.

Al-Aws criticized international efforts to legitimize the new regime and warned that returning refugees would face significant risks. He emphasized that conditions in Syria are not yet stable enough for safe returns and called for continued asylum protections in Germany and increased European pressure on Syria's rulers.

Activist urges Berlin to retain asylum among ongoing persecution fears

Germany should no longer grant asylum to Syrians now that President Bashar al-Assad's regime has fallen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said. However, Tarek Al-Aws, a former Syrian refugee and pro-Assad spokesperson, expressed cautions that the country remains unsafe for minorities and women. After al-Assad's oyster in early December 2024, he initially felt hopeful. For me, that was the moment of hope, a huge breakthrough that we can build a democracy and a rule of law in Syria. Unfortunately, it didn't take long before we got a slap in the face. Ahmed al-Sharwa, a former al-Qaeda affiliate leader, became interim Syrian president in January 2025, but many Syrians doubt his commitment to democracy. These are jihadists who, not long after the fall of al-Assad's regime, began to persecute minorities, LGBTIQ people and women and to suppress them in the country. Al-Aws says that Syria lacks a foundation for reconstruction and that engaging with jihadists is extremely dangerous. What hurts is that the international community is trying to legitimize this group with Ahmed al-Sharwa, mainly because they have an interlocutor in Syria with whom they can negotiate and talk. But they keep a close eye on it. Al-Aws warns of a new wave of refugees. He criticizes the current refugee policy as unsustainable. The goal would be to keep as many people as possible from fleeing to Germany or Europe. But that won't work. In the end, people flee because there are wars and crises in their countries of origin. Returning to Syria is far too dangerous right now, says Al-Aws. Europe must put more pressure on the current rulers. People can only return safely when they feel secure, he says. The majority of the people say that if there is stability in the country, then we will return to Syria and rebuild the country. And we want to share our experience of democracy abroad, in exile, not only in Germany, but also in Europe and the rest of the world. After 60 years of dictatorship, Al-Aws dreams of a democratic Syria. In Germany, around 920 Syrians have to emigrate. Some politicians say they should return and rebuild their country. But for that, there is a lack of security in Syria. Therefore, the Syrian civil society must first be discussed in Germany. Otherwise, the next wave of refugees will follow. Diana Resnik, from Berlin, for euronews.

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New York

New York Times sues Pentagon, Hegseth over press restrictions

President Trump weighed in on Russian President Vladimir Putin's meeting with his envoy, Steve Witkoff, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has more.

Moscow

Ukraine Invasion

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Caracas

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Canberra

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Brussels

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Washington

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Los Angeles

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Tennessee

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California

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Pokrovsk

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Nuwara Eliya

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Tegucigalpa

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Blagnac

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Damascus

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New Orleans

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Breakdown