Austria Halts New Asylum Requests From Syrian Refugees

Austria has suspended asylum applications from Syrians following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government. This decision, spearheaded by interim Chancellor Karl Nehammer, comes after Turkey-backed forces took over Damascus, forcing Assad to seek refuge in Russia.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner has been tasked with reassessing asylum cases already granted to Syrians in Austria. Plans are also underway to develop a strategy for returning refugees to Syria, although the specifics remain unclear at this stage.

The suspension also impacts applications for family reunification, which have allowed Syrian refugees to bring relatives to Austria. More than 12,800 cases are currently on hold, including over 1,100 tied to family reunification efforts.

Nehammer’s People’s Party has pushed for these changes amid increasing pressure from the Freedom Party, a populist group that won the largest share of votes in the country’s recent elections. Despite their victory, the Freedom Party has been excluded from coalition talks, sparking criticism from voters who question President Alexander Van der Bellen’s decision to prioritize the People’s Party instead.

Austria’s stricter stance reflects broader concerns in Europe about refugee resettlement. Many European nations, including Austria, took in large numbers of Syrians during the migrant crisis of 2015 and 2016. With 4.3 million Syrians displaced across Europe, officials are reevaluating their policies in light of changing conditions in Syria.

The Austrian government’s actions suggest a turning point in how European countries manage migration, with a focus on balancing public opinion and humanitarian commitments.