Deportation Order for Refugees? German Chancellor Says "The Syrian Civil War Is Over, Return Home"

Chancellor Merz Raises Possibility of Refugee Deportation

Refugees who fled the Syrian civil war and settled in Germany are expected to face deportation orders. Currently, it is estimated that around 1 million Syrians reside in Germany.

According to Yonhap News on November 4, citing ARD, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz indicated plans to send a large number of refugees back to their home country, stating, "The Syrian civil war is over."

During his visit to the small northern German town of Husum on this day, Chancellor Merz said, "Syrian refugees in Germany no longer have any reason to seek asylum or remain here, as the civil war has ended. They must return to their homeland." He further warned, "Those who refuse to return can, naturally, be subject to deportation." He also mentioned plans to invite Ahmad Alshara, the interim president of Syria, to prioritize discussions on the repatriation of criminals.

Germany has been one of Europe's main destinations for refugees. The country accepted a large influx of Syrian refugees in 2015 and 2016, a decision made by then-Chancellor Angela Merkel, who led the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) coalition government. Chancellor Merkel adopted an inclusive refugee policy under the slogan "We can do it."

Friedrich Merz, Chancellor of Germany. The photo was taken during his joint press conference with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, on October 30 in Ankara, Turkey. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Currently, there are approximately 955,000 Syrian nationals residing in Germany, most of whom relocated to escape the civil war. Since the civil war was declared over in December last year and Chancellor Merz, who has advocated tough immigration policies, took office in May this year, Syrian refugees have faced increasing pressure to return. However, as of August this year, 17,650 Syrians had applied for asylum, while only 1,867 refugees had returned to Syria.

Meanwhile, Syria descended into civil war in 2011 following large-scale armed protests against then-President Bashar al-Assad, who was 60 years old at the time and known as a dictator. Ahmad Alshara, the current interim president, was formerly a rebel leader who led armed resistance against the Assad regime.