Syria Calls Migrants in Germany a “Strategic Asset”— Rejects Returns

Another week, another reminder that the German government’s rhetoric on migration rarely matches reality. Friedrich Merz was clearly hoping to claw back some support from the anti-migration AfD when he said on Monday that he expected 80% of Syrians in Germany to return home within three years. The only problem is that the figure is disputed—and rapidly unravelling.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the chancellor said Syrian interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa had mentioned the figure—which would amount to hundreds of thousands of migrants—during their conversation. Sharaa later denied this during an event in London. And on Wednesday evening, Syria was much clearer that returns at this scale will not take place.

Syrian foreign minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani “reaffirmed once again” in a post on X: “Syrians in exile are strategic national assets, not burdens”. Al-Shaibani added that while work was being done “to prepare the infrastructure” for some Syrians to return home, “we categorically reject any attempts at forced deportation.”