German foreign minister backs Merz on Syrians returning home

Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul publicly backed Chancellor Friedrich Merz's statement urging many Syrian refugees to return to Syria. Merz said roughly 80% of Syrian refugees could go back, claiming much of Syria is now safe. Wadephul's endorsement signals the government's move toward a stricter migration and return policy. The shift matters because it could increase deportations, strain EU asylum rules, and raise human rights concerns for returnees.