Cyprus revokes asylum for 80 Syrians
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Cyprus revoked international protection for 95 people, including 80 Syrian nationals, as authorities tighten migration policies following the political transition in Syria, according to a report published by the Cypriot newspaper Philenews on Tuesday.
The report said the decisions were made on the instructions of Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum Nicholas A. Ioannides, adding that Cypriot authorities have also rejected more than 2,000 asylum applications submitted by Syrian nationals.
According to Philenews, Cyprus is preparing to carry out its first forced returns of Syrian nationals in the coming period, as officials argue that some Syrians no longer qualify for international protection following the change of government in Syria after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The report said Ioannides also instructed authorities to revoke the residence permits of Indian nationals involved in violent clashes in the city of Limassol in May. In addition, international protection is expected to be withdrawn from Syrian nationals accused of involvement in recent disturbances in the village of Xylophagou.
Separately, the Deputy Ministry of Migration is promoting a voluntary return program for Syrian families with financial support from the European Union. Under the scheme, one member of a participating family may remain in Cyprus temporarily to work before eventually returning to Syria.
Speaking before the House of Representatives last week, Ioannides said the number of asylum seekers arriving in Cyprus during the first half of 2026 had fallen by 92 percent compared with the same period in 2022. He also said that approximately 35,000 non-EU nationals have left Cyprus since the current government took office.
Cyprus has been among several European countries reassessing asylum policies for Syrians since the political transition in Damascus. A number of governments have suspended or reviewed asylum applications and residency status, citing changing conditions in the country, while humanitarian organizations continue to caution that security and humanitarian challenges persist in many parts of Syria.