Home Office pauses decisions on Syrian asylum claims following fall of Assad

The government has paused all decisions on Syrian asylum claims following the rapid fall of the Assad regime over the weekend.

The Home Office said the move had been made "whilst we assess the current situation".

"The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation," a statement said.

"We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues."

The UK follows Germany in making the decision, which it announced earlier today.

Hayat Tahrir al Sham, a Syrian rebel group, led the offensive over the past week that saw the capital, Damascus, taken over and the Assad regime overthrown after years of civil war.

Bashar al Assad, who took over from his father to rule Syria for 24 years, has fled to Russia and is reportedly now in Moscow.

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