Italy joins the suspension of asylum procedures for Syrian citizens

MADRID Dec. 10 () –

The Italian Government announced this Monday night that it is joining the suspension of the procedures for those asylum applications presented by Syrian citizens after the fall of the regime of the president of Syria, Bashar al Assad, who has fled the country and is in Russia.

Italy’s positioning has come hours after several European countries (Germany, France, Austria, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the Nordic countries) made this decision. The office of the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, has indicated that “she will closely follow the evolution of the situation, in close contact with the main regional, European and G7 partners.”

Meloni has chaired – after the session of the Council of Ministers – a meeting to evaluate the situation in Syria and, “in view of the fact that fighting is still continuing in some regions of Syria”, he has reiterated the “absolute priority of the protection of civilians and the need to guarantee a peaceful and inclusive transition,” according to a statement.

In this sense, he has placed “special emphasis” on the security of Italian citizens and the protection of Christians and “all minorities.” It has also decided to maintain the diplomatic presence in Damascus and, on behalf of the Government, has expressed its deep gratitude to the staff of the diplomatic mission.

The offensive in Syria, launched on November 27 from the province of Idlib and led by the Syrian group Hayat Tahrir al Sham (HTS), has allowed jihadists and rebels to take the capital, Damascus, and put an end to the Al family regime Assad, in power since 1971, faced with a constant withdrawal of government troops, backed by Russia and Iran.