Overview
- Germany and Syria announced in Berlin on Monday a joint plan to organize large-scale returns of Syrian refugees and to restart rebuilding projects.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz said about 80% of Syrians living in Germany should return within three years, with an implementation task force to oversee the effort.
- Berlin signaled roughly €200 million for water and hospital projects in Syria and said a German delegation will travel to Damascus in the coming days to start work.
- The plan builds on a late‑2025 agreement that lets Germany expel convicted criminals and people deemed dangerous to Syria, and it adds a proposed circular migration option for those contributing to reconstruction.
- Protests in Berlin and criticism from NGOs and some coalition partners highlighted safety and rights concerns in Syria, citing ongoing clashes, unexploded munitions, drought and reports of abuses.