Cyprus halts Syrian asylum requests as number of arrivals increases

Following a sharp increase in arrivals this month, Cyprus has suspended the processing of asylum applications from Syrians, Al Jazeera reported today.

In practice, the measure means asylum seekers will be confined to two reception camps offering food and shelter, with no other benefit, the article mentioned.

It adds that more than 1,000 people have arrived in Cyprus on boats from Lebanon this month amid deepening tensions in the Middle East.

Cyprus recorded more than 2,000 arrivals by sea in the first three months this year, compared with just 78 over the same period in 2023.