European Union

31 05, 2024
  • The belongings of homeless Syrian asylum seekers sit in piles outside a mosque in Cyprus’ capital, Nicosia, 27/3/2024 (Hanna Davis/Syria Direct)

Worsening conditions in Cyprus push scores to return to Syria

By Hanna Davis|2024-06-04T19:52:20+02:00May 31, 2024|

As life in Cyprus grows increasingly difficult for many asylum seekers, the number of Syrians opting into the island’s “voluntary return” program is going up. So far this year, 114 Syrians have returned, compared to just around 30 in all of 2023.

22 05, 2024
  • Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati (center) poses for a picture with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Beirut, 5/2/2024 (Joseph Eid/AFP)

EU-Lebanon aid deal blows back on Syrian refugees

By Hanna Davis|2024-05-23T12:25:08+02:00May 22, 2024|

A billion-euro EU aid package to Lebanon, in part to stem migration, caused an uproar in the country and triggered a crackdown on Syrian refugees that advocates warn will only push more to flee abroad

23 01, 2023

Distance (Episode 2): Alone in Germany

By Alicia Medina|2023-02-01T18:43:48+01:00January 23, 2023|

Alaa fled to Germany at 16, after her brother was disappeared by Syrian government forces. She hoped to bring her parents later, but her reunification request was denied. She has not seen her parents for seven years, and has never met her six-year-old brother.

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