return and โขHesitation: Syrians in Europe assess Life Back Home One Year After al-assad’s Fall
One year after the fall of Bashar al-Assad‘s government, โฃSyrians who sought refugeโ in europe are increasingly facing a complex decision: return home, or remain abroad as hostโข countries reassess refugee status. While some Syriansโ are optimistic about rebuildingโค opportunities, meaningful concerns remain regarding safety, public services, and personal freedoms.
The prospect of returning isn’t universally welcomed within Syria itself. according toโฃ researcher โคTodman, many Syrians express reservations about the immediate return โof refugees, citingโข alreadyโข overburdened public services and a critical housing โขshortage.
For those considering repatriation,safety concerns are paramount. Theโ post-Assad period has been marked by outbreaks of violence targeting minority groups.in March, clashes in the Alawite neighborhoods of Latakia province resulted in over 1600 civilian deaths, withโ Alawite groups alleging attacks by government-affiliated Sunni forces. Similar deadly clashes erupted in July in the Druze-majority province of suweyda, resulting inโ 1,200โค reported fatalities. Despite promises from President al-Sharaa to hold perpetrators accountable, both Alawite and Druze leaders have expressed skepticism.
These events have demonstrably impacted return patterns.Todman notes a heightened โnervousness among โminorities about returning, and a significant outflow of Alawites to Lebanon following theโข change โin government. Writer and activist Ali Deeb, originally from the alawite minority, expressed that while shocking, the violence wasn’t entirelyโ surprising, stating, “It is very arduous for a dictator like bashar Al-Assad, with all the roots he had, โto fall without blood.” Deeb โalso voicedโ concerns about her personal freedoms as a womanโข and activist, given the past affiliations ofโค members within the new authorities.
meanwhile, European nations โคare shifting โฃtheir policies regarding Syrian refugees. Denmark became โคthe first EU country to declare certainโ parts of Syria “safe,” prompting a wider โฃreconsideration of refugee statusโค across Europe. The Danish government has even begun offering Syrians up to โฌ27,000 to encourage their return. The UK โฃhas also recently altered its refugee โฃpolicy, allowing for the revocation of refugee statusโข once โขa โคcountry is deemed safe. Germany, which welcomed over 1 million Syrian refugees during the war, is also โhardening its stance, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz stating there are “no longer any grounds for asylum” and suggesting repatriations couldโฃ begin.
Despite these policy shifts and โongoing concerns, some Syrians are choosingโฃ to return. Entrepreneur Mufdi, based in Damascus, expresses optimism about the rebuilding process and the opportunities available. He highlights the authorities’ openness to returning Syrians seeking to establish businesses, claiming direct access to ministers and streamlined support. He โencourages other refugees to return, believing Syrians have a responsibilityโข to participate in rebuilding their country, โฃstating, “You can’t just leave the country forโ someone else to fix.” He also notes the lifting of sanctions and an international charm offensive โฃare creating a more favorable surroundings for investment โand advancement.
