A lack of safety and other “immense difficulties” prevent Syrian refugees from returning to their homeland, a US official said on Tuesday, as Arab countries renew a push to accommodate the regime of President Bashar Al Assad.
“It is very important to recognise the dangers and the immense difficulties preventing Syrians from having the ability to return to their homes safely,” Uzra Zeya, US under secretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights, told reporters after meeting UN officials in Amman.
“Our position is in line with international humanitarian principles against the forcible return of refugees to an environment where they face danger or peril.”
She was the first US official comment on the issue since an earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6 gave impetus to a drive by Jordan and other Arab countries to bring Damascus in from the diplomatic cold.
Several million Syrians, mostly members of the country's majority Sunni population, have fled to Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey since the 2011 revolt against five decades of Assad family rule. The initially peaceful movement became militarised by the end of the year in response to the use of deadly force by government security forces.
Syria, which has been dominated by an Alawite ruling elite since a 1963 coup, was thrust into civil war.
In the past few years, Turkey and Lebanon have put pressure on the refugees to return, as Ankara and several Arab countries sought to improve ties with Mr Al Assad in the face of tacit opposition from Washington.
Jordan, however, has largely stayed away from applying pressure on the refugees.
Ms Zeya said Jordan is still providing refugees with “safety and dignity” and praised authorities for the “generosity and protection” shown towards the Syrian diaspora in the kingdom.
Data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN refugee agency, show that 52,000 Syrians returned to the country last year, compared with 35,800 in 2021 and 38,200 in 2020.
The US is the largest donor to UNHCR operations worldwide. Washington has also spent more money than any other country on aid to Syrian refugees.
A significant proportion of the returnees, however, went to areas outside the control of the regime in northern Syria, which fall under a Turkish sphere of influence.
Dominik Bartsch, the UNHCR's representative to Jordan, said the situation inside Syria “is not considered conducive for return”, at least for the next year, and that unspecified “important criteria” have not been met.
“It is also important to recognise that refugees themselves voice great hesitation about the current context in Syria,” he said.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The%20Roundup
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The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
AI traffic lights to ease congestion at seven points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street
The seven points are:
Shakhbout bin Sultan Street
Dhafeer Street
Hadbat Al Ghubainah Street (outbound)
Salama bint Butti Street
Al Dhafra Street
Rabdan Street
Umm Yifina Street exit (inbound)
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh1,470,000 (est)
Engine 6.9-litre twin-turbo W12
Gearbox eight-speed automatic
Power 626bhp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 900Nm @ 1,350rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.0L / 100km
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
ASIAN%20RUGBY%20CHAMPIONSHIP%202024
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
