German embassy reopens after resuming the embassy in Syria due to civil war

Germany reopened its embassy in Damascus on Thursday three months after former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s removal.

The Embassy closed in 2012 after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war – Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock officially opened during his visit to the Syrian capital.

This move is an important step in the recovery of relations between Damascus and Berlin.

Germany has a population of more than one million Syrian residents, many of whom fled their homes during the bloody civil war.

The conflict finally ended late last year with the overthrow of Strongman al-Assad, who fled to Russia as his regime collapsed after a lightning offensive led by the Islamic group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.

Since then, the transitional government led by President Ahmed Al-Sharaa has been working to restore security and has restored the country’s economic collapse after more than a decade of conflict.

Baerbock met Al-Sharaa for the second time on Thursday, accompanied by German MP Armin Laschet, whose former rival was the prime minister candidate in 2021.

The Syrian president did not shake hands with any politician.

Al-Sharaa failed to hold Baerbock’s hand at their first meeting in January (shaking the Frenchman’s peers) to cause a storm of controversy in Germany.

Baerbock’s trip was only two weeks after the violent clashes in northwestern Syria.

The London-based monitor Syrian Human Rights Observatory recorded more than 1,500 people killed in violence, most of whom were civilians of the religious minority of Alavi, the denomination to which Assad belongs.

Speaking from Beirut before flying to Syria, Baerbock condemned the “targeted killing of civilians” and called it a “terrible crime” that seriously undermined trust.

The Foreign Minister reiterated Germany’s commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to Syria, while also indicating potential sanctions, but only under certain conditions.

“A new political start between Europe and Syria is possible,” Baerbock said. This will require clear commitments to ensure freedom, security and equal opportunities for all Syrians, regardless of gender, race or religion.

Baerbock confirmed that a few German diplomats would resume activities in Damascus, but consular work such as issuing visas will continue in Beirut.