Wadephul's comparison: Syria 1945? Union in turmoil!

Wadephul's comparison: Syria 1945? Union in turmoil!

In an internal meeting of the Union parliamentary group, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul caused a stir after he made a controversial comparison between Syria and Germany in 1945. According to Welt, he declared that “Syria looks worse than Germany in 1945.” This statement caused irritation among MPs, who even privately called for Wadephul's resignation. Despite the criticism, Wadephul rejects accusations that he is handling the situation too sensitively: “I’m not a wimp,” he emphasized. Chancellor Friedrich Merz stood by him and praised his trip to the Middle East, which was part of the abrupt return of Syrian refugees and the deportation of criminals.

The Union is planning a rapid deportation of Syrian criminals and the return of able-bodied Syrians who live in Germany without employment. Merz made it clear that there were no longer any reasons for asylum in Germany and that the federal government was aiming for a consistent resumption of deportations to Syria. Wadephul stated that there was a manageable number of people to be repatriated. The minister had previously looked around the suburb of Harasta, a place that has suffered greatly from the civil war and is symbolic of the destruction that has characterized Syria since 2011.

Syria: An Overview

The situation in Syria is complex and has reached dramatic proportions due to the civil war that has been raging since 2011. Wikipedia states that the country lies on the borders of the Mediterranean, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon and has a population of around 25 million. Syria has a turbulent history that began in the 20th century with the end of Ottoman rule. It finally gained independence in 1945 and became a founding member of the United Nations.

The civil war has led to a refugee crisis that has forced over 6 million Syrians to flee. The international intervention against the Islamic State began in 2014, which was territorially defeated in 2017. A turning point came in 2024 when opposition forces took Damascus and toppled the Assad regime, setting up an interim government under Ahmed al-Sharaa. According to bpb, this government faces enormous challenges as the economic situation in Syria is catastrophic and more than 90% of the population lives in poverty. In addition, 70% are dependent on humanitarian aid and the return of refugees could further complicate the situation.

Geopolitical developments and challenges

The seizure of power by the Islamist militia Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and the conquest of Damascus has significantly changed the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. The conflict over the distribution of resources and the creation of a new political system is omnipresent. External actors, including the US and European countries, have decided to support the new interim government, while other countries such as Turkey and Qatar pursue their own national interests. The EU has eased some sanctions against Syria's new rulers to promote economic stability. At the same time, social reconciliation and coming to terms with the crimes of the Assad regime remain a central concern for a peaceful transition.

The question of how the Syrian refugees and the political developments will be dealt with will remain explosive both at the national and international level. The issue will make waves not only in Germany, but also throughout the entire region and have a lasting impact on stability.