A landmark ruling by the Administrative Court of Münster has determined that Syrian asylum seekers no longer face a general threat from civil war in their home country, challenging the previous practice of granting them subsidiary protection.

The court found that civilians in Syria are not at serious risk of arbitrary violence, marking a significant shift in the legal landscape for refugees.

This decision has sparked a heated political debate in Germany, with calls from the CDU and FDP for swift action on deportations, while the SPD and Greens urge caution.

Critics, including Pro Asyl, argue that the ruling overlooks ongoing conflicts and the dangers posed by the Assad regime.

The case involved a Syrian man previously convicted of human smuggling, which also influenced the court's decision to deny him refugee status.

The ruling could affect the status of over 81,000 Syrians currently in Germany with subsidiary protection.