Today, more than 80 percent of Syrians who have fled abroad reside in countries directly neighboring Syria, namely Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. At the beginning of the civil war, these states have kept their borders open for those fleeing the increasing violence in Syria. However, the host countries’ steadfastness started to waver as the war dragged on and hopes for a safe return of refugees turned increasingly grim. Especially in recent years, the situation of Syrian refugees has deteriorated enormously due to economic recession, political incitement and global crises. Despite this, the large majority of those who fled see no hope of returning to Syria, where the economic and security situation is ever more disastrous while the Assad regime continues to hold on to power.

This article is part of a 46-pages Syria dossier of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in the Middle East magazine zenith. The 2023 winter issue sheds light on current developments in and around Syria. Although from afar, the conflict appears to be frozen and Assad's position in power stable, a closer look reveals that the country and its inhabitants continue to face profound hardships. This dossier goes beyond a superficial analysis and takes an in-depth look at the complex dynamics that significantly influence the situation in and around Syria.

This article is only available in German. Please refer to the German page for access.