Government visiting Syria – aiming to encourage more Syrians to return

After the fall of the former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, the return of Syrians has started to be debated in many countries. Representatives of the Swedish government are currently in Syria to discuss, among other things, the issue of return.

One of the countries where the return of Syrians is being discussed is Germany, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz has stated that they have no place in the country in the long term and must return. In Sweden, Jimmie Åkesson (SD) has called for a review of the residence permits of Syrians.

On Monday, Minister for International Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa (M) and Minister for Migration Johan Forssell (M) began their visit to Syria, where they will meet the country’s jihadist president Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani. According to the Swedish ministers, the goal is to encourage more Syrians to return home.

“It has been almost a year since the Assad regime fell. The government wants to use the opportunity that the new leadership can bring for the country to achieve a peaceful and democratic development,” the ministers wrote in a joint comment to state television.

Increasing returns

“A Swedish interest is also to increase returns to Syria, especially when it comes to persons convicted of crimes. For the government, it is therefore crucial to be on site to better understand the country’s challenges and opportunities.”

The Swedish delegation consists of about 15 people and represents the first Swedish ministerial visit to Syria since Bashar al-Assad’s regime was overthrown a year ago.