Austria pledges support for Syrians returning home after Assad’s fall

Austria announced plans to support Syrians returning to their homeland following the collapse of dictator Bashar al-Assad’s regime and his flight from Damascus.

What they’re saying

Nach dem Sturz der Diktatur in Syrien muss die Sicherheitslage neu bewertet werden. Ich habe den Innenminister beauftragt, das zu tun. Vorerst werden alle laufenden Asylverfahren für syrische Staatsbürger in Österreich ausgesetzt. pic.twitter.com/2idNaJW9ok

— Karl Nehammer (@karlnehammer) December 9, 2024

• “The fall of the Assad regime is changing the overall situation in Syria. The country now needs its citizens,” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote on X.

We will support everyone who wants to return to their homeland.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer

Context

• The Austrian government paused the processing of asylum applications by Syrians on Monday, citing the evolving situation in Syria.
• Nehammer, leader of the conservative People’s Party (OVP), has taken a hardline stance on immigration and is currently in coalition talks following September’s elections.

Why it matters

• Austria, like other European countries, continues to grapple with the political fallout of the 2015-2016 migration crisis when thousands of Syrians sought refuge amid the civil war.
• Anti-immigration sentiment has bolstered Austria’s far-right and conservative parties, adding pressure to limit asylum and migration policies.

What’s next

Austria’s policy shift reflects broader European debates about migration and support for rebuilding post-conflict Syria.