As of the end of October, more than 100,000 applications for international protection from Syrians remained pending in the European Union, according to figures released by the European

Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) on Wednesday. The announcement comes amid heightened unrest in Syria following recent political upheaval.

The EUAA reported that 108,200 Syrian asylum applications were awaiting a first decision. However, the agency noted the possibility of duplicate applications, as some individuals may have applied for asylum in multiple EU countries simultaneously.

Impact of Syria’s evolving situation

The fate of these asylum applications hinges on developments in Syria. Several EU countries, including Belgium, have temporarily paused processing Syrian asylum cases in response to the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government last weekend.

Millions displaced by Civil War

Since the outbreak of Syria’s civil war in 2011, over 13 million people have been displaced, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). While neighboring countries like Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt have absorbed the majority of these refugees, many have sought safety in Europe.

Germany has taken the lead within the EU, granting refuge to nearly 800,000 Syrians, followed by Sweden. In most EU countries, Syrians make up the largest group of asylum applicants.

Belgium’s stance

Belgium has provided protection to about 35,000 Syrians over the past decade. From January to October 2024, 4,725 Syrians applied for asylum in Belgium, more than any other nationality.

However, Belgium’s Commissioner General for Refugees and Stateless Persons (CGRS) announced on Monday a temporary halt in processing Syrian asylum applications. This decision aims to assess the evolving situation in Syria. Outgoing State Secretary for Asylum and Migration, Nicole de Moor, stated that if conditions in Syria improve, some refugees could potentially be returned. Photo by Mstyslav Chernov, Wikimedia commons.