UK Resumes Processing Syrian Asylum Claims After Seven-Month Pause

The UK government has resumed processing Syrian asylum and settlement claims after a seven-month pause that began following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024. Asylum Minister Dame Angela Eagle explained that the pause was necessary due to the lack of stable and objective information to assess risks in Syria, but updated country guidance and new Home Office reports now allow decisions and safe return reviews to proceed. More than 7,000 Syrians affected by the suspension faced legal and economic limbo, often living in government-funded accommodations with limited rights to work or access permanent housing. The new guidance requires claimants to prove a "well-founded fear of persecution," emphasizing that general insecurity alone does not warrant asylum, though specific groups such as Kurds in Turkish-backed areas and Alawites aligned with the former regime remain at risk. Refugee advocates have welcomed the resumption but urge careful, case-by-case assessments to protect those facing serious harm. The Home Office’s updated policy notes signal a more stringent approach, with expectations that many asylum claims may now be refused based on the revised risk assessments.