Overview
- After touring the ruined Damascus suburb of Harasta and meeting interim president Ahmed Al-Scharaa, the foreign minister said he does not expect many refugees to go back voluntarily in the short term.
- Berlin announced up to €52.6 million in new humanitarian support for Syria, Lebanon and Jordan, including about €39.4 million for Syria, and added €4 million to the Syrian reconstruction fund, bringing Germany’s total to €110 million.
- The Interior Ministry said it is negotiating an agreement with Syria to enable deportations starting with convicted criminals and reiterated that travel to Syria generally leads to loss of protection status in Germany.
- Officials confirmed the BAMF has resumed decisions on selected Syrian asylum cases involving young, able-bodied single men as part of targeted processing.
- On regional security, Wadephul urged a UN mandate for stabilization forces in Gaza at the Manama Dialogue and said Germany will move to ease its Israel travel advisories to encourage exchange.