Chancellor Merz Declares Syrian Civil War Over, Calls for Refugee Returns from Germany

Chancellor Merz Announces Policy Shift on Syrian Refugees

On Monday, November 3, 2025, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz declared that the civil war in Syria has concluded, asserting that this development removes the basis for Syrian refugees to claim asylum in Germany. Speaking during a visit to Husum, Schleswig-Holstein, Merz outlined a new policy direction that prioritizes the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland. 'There are now no longer any grounds for asylum in Germany, and therefore we can also begin with repatriations,' Merz stated. He expressed an expectation that many of the approximately 1 million Syrians residing in Germany would voluntarily return to assist in the reconstruction of their country.

Repatriation Efforts and Diplomatic Overtures

Chancellor Merz emphasized that those Syrian nationals who decline voluntary repatriation could face deportation 'in the near future'. This stance marks a significant shift in Germany's immigration policy, which has been increasingly strict under his administration. To facilitate these returns and discuss broader cooperation, Merz has extended an invitation to Ahmad al-Sharaa, the interim president of Syria, to visit Germany. The discussions are expected to cover the repatriation of refugees, including those with criminal records, and strategies for Syria's economic reconstruction.

Syrian Conflict's End and Current Landscape

Merz's declaration follows the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime on December 8, 2024, which many sources now consider the end of the 14-year Syrian civil war. The Islamic militant group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) has since taken power, with Ahmad al-Sharaa leading the Syrian transitional government. Despite the formal end of the civil war, the situation in Syria remains complex, characterized by ongoing violence, proxy conflicts, and a severe humanitarian crisis, with 7 out of 10 Syrians requiring humanitarian assistance.

Internal Disagreement and Refugee Statistics

The Chancellor's announcement has sparked internal debate within the German government. Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, following a recent visit to Damascus, expressed a more cautious perspective. He noted that the return of Syrians is 'possible to a very limited extent' due to the extensive destruction and persistent instability, which he believes makes a dignified existence challenging. This view has drawn criticism from within Merz's own Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. Germany currently hosts approximately 1 million Syrians, many of whom arrived during the major migration wave of 2015-2016, with a significant number holding temporary residence permits.