The government has paused all decisions on Syrian asylum claims following the rapid fall of the Assad regime over the weekend.
The Home Office said the move had been made “whilst we assess the current situation”.
“The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation,” a statement said.
“We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.”
The move comes after Germany, Greece and Austria also paused asylum applications for thousands of Syrians.
The war in Syria had forced millions of people to flee the country, with the majority heading to Turkey and other neighbouring nations.
Home Office statistics show Syrians generated the fifth largest amount of asylum claims in the year ending September 2024 – behind Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh.
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Some 99% of claims were granted at initial decision.
Earlier today Sir Keir Starmer announced a further £11m in humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable in Syria, including the hundreds of thousands who have been displaced in the conflict.
In the Commons today, Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, asked her counterpart David Lammy whether the government could ensure there will be “no asylum claims from former members of the Assad regime in this country”.
She told MPs: “The Conservative government called for President Assad to go over a decade ago, and few will shed any tears at this vile tyrant’s removal from office.
“While Assad may have sought sanctuary in Russia, we look to the foreign secretary to explain what steps will be taken to gather evidence of the crimes his reprehensible regime is responsible for, and the actions being taken to bring him to face justice.
“Can he confirm that despite Assad fleeing to Russia to claim asylum, there will be no asylum claims from former members of…
