What's happened
The UK government has paused asylum applications from Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Foreign Secretary David Lammy indicated that the situation is evolving, with concerns about the implications for migration and security as rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham gains influence.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Ellen Milligan from Bloomberg, Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation as a 'moment of danger as well as opportunity,' emphasizing the need for caution regarding HTS. Meanwhile, the BBC reported on the rapid developments in Syria, highlighting the government's uncertainty about the future of asylum applications. The Mirror noted that the Home Office is reviewing its policies in light of the regime's collapse, reflecting a cautious approach to the evolving crisis.
How we got here
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, led to millions fleeing the country. The UK has granted asylum to thousands of Syrians, but the recent collapse of Assad's regime raises questions about the future of asylum claims.
More on these topics
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David Lindon Lammy PC FRSA is a British Labour Party politician serving as Member of Parliament for Tottenham since 2000, and has served as Shadow Secretary of State for Justice and Shadow Lord Chancellor in Keir Starmer's Shadow Cabinet since 2020.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northÂwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.
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Bashar Hafez al-Assad is a Syrian politician who has been the President of Syria since 17 July 2000. In addition, he is commander-in-chief of the Syrian Armed Forces and Regional Secretary of the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party's branch in Syria.