A number of Syrian nationals in Cyprus are eyeing a return to their home country, Deputy Minister for Migration Nicholas Ioannides said on Monday after President Bashar al-Assad’s fall from power.

By early afternoon, 20 individuals had withdrawn their asylum requests, while there are also people that have obtained protection status which they are now seeking to revoke so as to return to Syria, he said.

Ioannides told CNA the ministry was processing the requests to withdraw asylum applications at a fast pace.

“I have given instructions to facilitate the withdrawal requests and to enter them into the voluntary departure system,” he explained.

The development comes after Assad was ousted, ending his rule marred by a 13-year civil war that saw the country wrecked by violence as thousands fled the country seeking asylum in Europe.

“Today, a new day of hope has dawned in Syria. After 13 years of civil war, Assad’s dictatorship has come to an end,” a group called ‘Syrians in Cyprus’ said. Large crowds of Syrians went out into the streets in Nicosia and Limassol on Sunday to celebrate his downfall.

The embassy of Syria in Nicosia had already donned the opposition flag, as the group called for the safe return of Syrian asylum seekers from Cyprus to their native country.

Ioannides told CNA more requests from Syrian nationals seeking to withdraw their asylum applications are expected, though once the process is complete, they will need to find their own way of returning to Syria.

Since this is not a forced repatriation or deportation but a voluntary return, he said, they will need to arrange their own flights back to Syria, either directly or via third countries.

However, he added that it is still early and he expects more requests in the coming days.

Published in local media, the Syrians in Cyprus’ letter said Syrians had found “protection in Cyprus, in all the years we have been away from our cities and villages, our families, relatives and friends”.

“Our ministry is responsibly evaluating the withdrawal requests, and the necessary actions will be taken for their repatriation,” Ioannides said, commenting on the letter.

In the letter, the Syrian nationals called on the government to take the necessary measures for the organised, safe and dignified return of those who choose voluntary repatriation to Syria and extend the Assisted Voluntary Return programme to cover Syrian nationals.

Earlier in the day, President Nikos Christodoulides called for an orderly political transition in Syria in the wake of rebels seizing Damascus and ousting Assad.

In a post on X, Christodoulides said “the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria must be respected” and called for “a smooth, Syrian-led and inclusive political transition, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254,” which is now “more urgent than ever.”

“Peace and security of all Syrians, including minorities, must be ensured,” Christodoulides added, saying Syria’s rich cultural heritage must be respected and preserved.

Political parties also commented on the situation, with Disy expressing hope that the development would be positive for the citizens of Syria, calling on all involved parties to respect human rights and protect the country’s Christian community.

“Cyprus’ involvement is immediately necessary for reevaluating the situation both at a European level and in international forums.”

Akel expressed concern over the developments, voicing fears of a “nightmare scenario” where Syria could turn into a new Iraq or Libya.

“The developments in Syria do not lend themselves to euphoria and celebration. On the contrary, they are a cause for serious concern and do not bode well for the people of Syria or for the wider Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East region.

“They portend the risk of new bloody conflicts, devastation and refugees. They bring to the fore extreme fundamentalist forces. They strengthen the two occupying powers in our region, Turkey and Israel. They are paving the way for the division of Syria.”

Diko called on the government to evaluate whether the circumstances would warrant rejecting pending applications of Syrian applicants.