UK freezes Syrian asylum process after dramatic changes in Damascus
British government stops processing Syrian asylum claims following weekend rebel victory in Damascus. European nations make similar moves as ex-president Assad finds refuge in Russia
The UK government made a quick-action yesterday to pause its Syrian asylum decisions after rebel groups took control of Damascus (which happened during this past weekend)
In a brief statement the Home Office explained: “Were temporarily halting Syrian asylum decisions while we look at whats happening;“ the ministry plans to keep watching how things change in the region
Several other EU countries including Germany and Austria have done the same thing after Bashar al-Assad — who ran Syria for about 13 years — left for Russia. The long-running civil war made lots of people leave Syria: some went to nearby countries but many crossed into Europe
During the big move of people to Europe around 8-9 years ago many Syrians went to different countries. The UKs help-system got about twenty-thousand Syrian people settled here (as counted in early-21)
The return of people to Syria shows good signs for their future without Assad — but this could change fast and we might see more dangerous trips to Europe
The current situation means:
* More people might start moving between countries
* Dangerous routes to Europe could get busier
* UK border controls might need changes
