Syrians withdraw asylum applications in Cyprus following Assad's fall
Hundreds of Syrians have withdrawn their asylum applications in Cyprus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. From December 9, 2024, to January 31, 2025, 1,367 Syrians indicated plans to return to Syria, with 944 rescinding their applications. Cyprus's migration minister reported an average of 40 withdrawals per day during this period. Additionally, 423 individuals waived their refugee status, and 755 have left Cyprus. Asylum applications in Cyprus have decreased significantly in recent years, with a 69% drop from 2022 to 2024. This decline is partly due to changes in migration routes and policies.