Syria Urges Germany Not to Deport Its Citizens, Citing Safety and Humanitarian Concerns

Published February 22, 2025

Syria’s government has formally asked the German government to pause or halt deportations of Syrian nationals back to their war‑torn homeland, arguing that the current conditions make such returns unsafe and would worsen the country’s already fragile humanitarian situation.

Damascus’ Appeal to Berlin

According to Syrian officials, including Mohammed Yaqub al‑Omar, director of the consular department at the Syrian Foreign Ministry, returning large numbers of people at this time could deepen insecurity and strain the country’s limited infrastructure. Al‑Omar urged Germany to show “patience” and allow Syria more time to rebuild following years of war and destruction. He warned that millions of Syrians displaced inside the country remain in temporary camps with inadequate housing, sanitation, or basic services, and that mass returns could only exacerbate an already dire situation.

Germany’s Political Debate

The request has fueled a growing debate within Germany’s federal government over how to handle the future of Syrian refugees — a community that numbers in the hundreds of thousands within the country and represents one of the largest refugee populations in Europe.

• Conservatives (CDU/CSU) argue that the basis for protection no longer exists for most Syrians now that the Assad government has fallen and the long civil conflict is considered over. They say deportations should proceed, especially for individuals convicted of crimes or deemed threats to public safety.

• Some members of the governing Social Democrats (SPD) have been more sympathetic to Damascus’ plea, suggesting that Syria still needs time to develop the basic structures that would make safe return possible. They warn that many regions in the country still lack functioning schools, hospitals, running water, and sewage systems.

These disagreements reflect a wider tension in German politics over immigration policy, including how far the state should go in removing people whose refugee status may have expired — especially when Germany’s aging population benefits from immigrant labor.

Public and Political Reactions

The German right‑wing party Alternative for Germany (AfD) has seized on the issue to criticize the government’s approach. AfD co‑leader Alice Weidel claimed that Syria’s request amounts to an attempt to avoid taking back dangerous individuals and argued that Germany should adopt a more aggressive deportation policy focused on prioritizing German public safety.

Syria demands that Germany not deport criminal Syrians – and the federal government obeys. With the AfD in government responsibility, the deportation offensive would start immediately – and the safety of our own citizens would be put first!

— Alice Weidel (@Alice_Weidel) February 20, 2026

Humanitarian and Reconstruction Challenges

Syria’s appeal underscores broader challenges facing the country after more than a decade of conflict. Despite an official end to major combat, reconstruction has been uneven and slow. Large numbers of internally displaced people remain in makeshift tent camps, and many urban areas still require extensive rebuilding of housing, schools, roads, and utilities — conditions that Syrian officials say make immediate returns unsafe and untenable on a large scale.

Context: Returns and Voluntary Repatriation

While Germany has continued to offer voluntary return programs for Syrians — including financial incentives — uptake has been limited. Only a small fraction of those eligible have chosen to return, even when offered support to do so.

Additionally, broader patterns of refugee returns across the region show modest numbers of Syrians going home voluntarily since the civil war’s end, though the vast majority remain abroad or displaced within the country itself.

Implications of Syria’s request to Germany regarding deportations:

1. Political Implications for Germany

• Domestic Debate Intensifies: Syria’s plea adds fuel to the ongoing debate in Germany over immigration and refugee policy. Political factions are divided:

  • Conservatives may push for stricter deportations, arguing that Germany cannot indefinitely host those who no longer need protection.

  • SPD and left-leaning politicians may advocate caution, emphasizing humanitarian obligations and international law.

• Election and Public Opinion Effects: Anti-immigration parties like AfD could leverage this situation to gain support, framing the government as weak on security and sovereignty.

2. Humanitarian Implications

• Safety Concerns for Returnees: Many regions in Syria remain unstable or lack basic infrastructure. Forced deportations could put returnees at risk of violence, homelessness, or deprivation of essential services.

• Pressure on Syrian Government: A sudden influx of returnees could overwhelm Syria’s limited housing, medical care, and food supply, worsening the humanitarian crisis.

3. Legal and International Implications

• Compliance with International Law: Germany is bound by the 1951 Refugee Convention, which prohibits returning individuals to countries where they face serious threats. Ignoring Syria’s warnings could trigger legal challenges and international criticism.

• EU-Wide Precedent: How Germany handles Syrian deportations may influence other EU countries’ policies on repatriation of refugees, potentially reshaping European asylum norms.

4. Social and Economic Implications

• Integration vs. Repatriation: Syrian refugees remaining in Germany face ongoing integration challenges, including employment, education, and social acceptance. Halting deportations allows for continued contribution to the labor force but may strain social services.

• Long-Term Planning for Refugees: Germany must balance humanitarian obligations with the practicalities of long-term integration for those unlikely to return soon.

5. Geopolitical Implications

• Germany–Syria Relations: Damascus’ request puts Germany in a delicate position: honoring it may signal cooperation with Assad’s government, while ignoring it could strain bilateral ties.

• Regional Stability: Forced returns could destabilize Syria further, potentially driving more refugees to neighboring countries or Europe in the future.

 Overall Takeaway:

Syria’s request for Germany to halt deportations highlights the lingering human and political consequences of more than a decade of conflict. While many European governments, including Germany, are under domestic pressure to enforce stricter immigration controls and return refugees whose protection status may no longer apply, the reality on the ground in Syria remains fragile. Large-scale deportations risk putting individuals — many of whom have fled violence, displacement, and destroyed infrastructure — back into unsafe conditions, potentially exacerbating human suffering and instability.

From a political perspective, Germany faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, there is pressure from conservative and right-wing parties to enforce the rule of law and prioritize public security. On the other, there is a humanitarian and legal obligation under international refugee law to ensure that returnees are not sent into harm’s way. How Berlin navigates this challenge will not only affect domestic politics but also influence Europe’s broader approach to migration policy and the treatment of refugees from conflict zones.

Geopolitically, Syria’s plea underscores that the war’s impact continues to reverberate beyond its borders. Forced or poorly managed returns could destabilize Syrian communities further, strain regional neighbors, and create new waves of migration toward Europe. Conversely, a measured approach — combining voluntary return programs, international aid, and support for reconstruction — could help mitigate long-term risks and contribute to stability.

Ultimately, the situation serves as a stark reminder that the Syrian conflict is not merely a historical crisis but an ongoing humanitarian and policy challenge. Sustainable solutions require careful coordination between governments, adherence to international law, and a commitment to both human rights and pragmatic political strategy. Any attempt at mass deportation without considering these factors risks undermining not only the safety of returnees but also the credibility and stability of Germany’s immigration policy itself.

SOURCES: ZEROHEDGE – Syria Asks Germany Not To Deport Its Citizens Back Home, Fearing It Would Make Country ‘Unsafe’