Background: New fighting in Syria
In recent weeks, fighting between Syrian government forces, allied militias, and Kurdish-led units has intensified significantly. Regions in northeastern Syria and areas around Aleppo have been particularly affected. According to the Left Party, around 120,000 Kurds and Yazidis have been displaced from Aleppo and the surrounding area alone in a short period of time.
According to Die Zeit, citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the supply of food, medicine, and everyday goods has been almost completely cut off. Aid deliveries to the region are limited. Reports indicate that aid convoys are on their way, but the situation remains tense.
Although an existing ceasefire was recently extended by another 15 days, isolated skirmishes continued to occur. In addition, there is growing concern that the unstable security situation could be exploited by the terrorist militia "Islamic State. "
Linke calls for nationwide halt to deportations to Syria
Against this backdrop, Die Linke is calling for a nationwide halt to deportations to Syria. The federal government must exert pressure on the federal states to ensure that no repatriations take place to a country that continues to be ravaged by war and crisis, explained party leader Ines Schwerdtner. Syria is still not a safe country of origin; torture, violence, and death are imminent threats.
Schwerdtner emphasized to the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland that even in regions where there is no current fighting, there is no reliable security. Even there, people are exposed to arbitrary violence, persecution, and serious human rights violations.
At the same time, Schwerdtner sharply criticized Syrian transitional president Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying that his militias were responsible for serious human rights violations. The Left Party is therefore calling for al-Sharaa's invitation to Germany to be withdrawn and for international criminal proceedings to be considered instead. However, the Federal Prosecutor General had rejected investigations against al-Sharaa following a criminal complaint by the Kurdish community in Germany.
Background: Last week, al-Sharaa's visit to Berlin had been announced. However, it was canceled at short notice due to the ongoing unrest. According to media reports, the visit would also have focused on the repatriation of Syrian citizens.
Deportation to Syria: German government tightens asylum rules
Whether the nationwide halt to deportations to Syria demanded by the left will actually be implemented is currently unclear—and rather unlikely. This is because the federal government is currently pursuing the opposite course.
In the coalition agreement of May 2025, the CDU/CSU and SPD agreed to resume regular deportations to Syria and Afghanistan. Initially, the measure will primarily affect convicted criminals and dangerous individuals. In the long term, however, deportations of individuals whose asylum applications have been rejected and who do not have a legal Residence permit are also being discussed.
Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) told the Rheinische Post newspaper last September that the aim was to reach an agreement with Syria in 2025 and "then initially deport criminals and later people without residence permits."
The extent to which negotiations on a possible readmission agreement with the transitional government in Damascus have progressed is not currently known to the public.
BAMF intensifies review of asylum applications from Syrians
At the same time, since September 2025, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has been reviewing asylum applications from Syrian nationals much more strictly. The focus is primarily on men traveling alone who are healthy and able to work. Protection is no longer granted across the board, but is assessed more closely on the basis of the region of origin and the individual risk situation.
The reason given for this is the fall of long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. According to the authorities, the original reason for protection has thus ceased to exist in many cases. According to BAMF figures, around 99 percent of asylum applications from Syrian nationals were rejected in October 2025 alone.
In addition, several administrative courts have now confirmed that Syrians no longer have a general right to asylum in Germany. Instead, each case must be examined individually to determine whether there is still a specific individual risk.
Doubts about deportations within the government
Despite stricter asylum rules, there are also doubts within the federal government about deportations to Syria. After a visit to Syria at the end of 2025, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU) expressed skepticism about whether a safe return was currently possible.
Large parts of the infrastructure have been destroyed, making it difficult to imagine a dignified and safe life for returnees in many places. International organizations such as the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) are also warning against deportations to Syria. According to the organization's assessment, the country is currently unable to receive and provide for a large number of returnees.
Background: What is a deportation ban?
A deportation ban means that deportations to a specific country are suspended for a specified period of time. In practice, this period is usually three months. The legal basis for this is Section 60a (1) of the Residence Act.
A deportation ban can be ordered by the federal states, usually by decree of the respective interior ministries. In certain cases, the Federal Ministry of the Interior can also take action—for example, if the deportation ban is to last longer than six months or is to be applied uniformly throughout Germany.
Deportation stops are usually imposed when the security situation in a country deteriorates acutely, for example due to war, political upheaval, or natural disasters, or when there is a threat of serious human rights violations. They apply to all persons from that country, regardless of Residence permit rejected asylum application.
Deportation ban: Iran and Syria in comparison
Several federal states have currently imposed or extended deportation bans for Iran. These are based on the tense human rights situation and the risk of political persecution.
There is currently no ban on deportations to Syria —neither at the state nor federal level. However, it is important to note that although the federal government has resumed deportations to Syria in principle, these are subject to severe restrictions.
So far, they have only affected convicted criminals and so-called dangerous individuals. Deportations of people whose asylum applications have been rejected are not currently being carried out officially.
Conclusion: Suspension of deportations to Syria currently unlikely
Despite the renewed deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Syria, there is currently no sign of a nationwide halt to deportations. Human rights organizations continue to warn against repatriations, and even within the parties in the Bundestag there are doubts about the safety of returning refugees. At present, however, the government is taking a tougher line and maintaining the option of deportations.
For Syrian refugees, the situation therefore remains uncertain overall. Important: Even without a ban on deportation, asylum applications are not decided on a blanket basis, but are examined individually. The region of origin within Syria, the current security situation on the ground, and the personal situation of the person concerned play a central role in this process.
The comparison with Iran shows that deportation bans are possible. Whether such a step will be taken in view of the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Syria remains to be seen.
