Syrian migrants in France prefer crossing to the UK over returning home, citing "work and peace

Image: Jihad Watch

Syrian migrants in northern Europe remain determined to reach the UK, citing ongoing dangers in their war-torn homeland despite the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

This determination comes as the UK and several European nations have suspended Syrian asylum applications, awaiting developments from a caretaker government led by the Islamist group Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has promised to stabilize the country.

In northern France, Syrian migrant Ali, bundled against the cold in Calais, expressed mixed emotions. While he welcomed Assad’s removal, describing him as a “criminal” no longer wanted in power, he remained steadfast in his plan to cross the Channel to England.

“I was happy when Assad left,” said Ali, a 23-year-old from Daraa, the region where the 2011 uprising against Assad began. “But Syria’s situation is still chaotic, and the atmosphere is unstable.”

Ali, who has spent two months in Calais hoping to reach the UK, believes England offers a chance for peace, stability, and work. “It’s very bad news that asylum applications are being suspended, but it won’t stop us,” he said. “We want to find peace.”

HTS leader and interim prime minister Mohammed al-Bashir has urged Syrians abroad to return, promising safety for all citizens regardless of religion or background, and called for unity to rebuild the nation. However, many migrants remain skeptical, citing the interim government’s links to former militant groups and the uncertainty of the country’s future.

Over the weekend, HTS and allied factions, including the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, seized control of Damascus, bringing an end to over five decades of Assad family rule. This collapse follows a civil war that claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions, forcing half the population to flee.

Despite the promise of change, the legacy of conflict leaves many Syrians abroad wary of returning. “If the situation improves, we’ll go back,” Ali said. “Everyone dreams of returning home. But for now, it’s too uncertain.”

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)