Germany has reopened its embassy in Damascus for the first time since 2012, marking a diplomatic shift following the departure of former President Bashar al-Assad.
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock formally inaugurated the embassy on Thursday during her visit to the Syrian capital. The diplomatic mission had remained closed since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war.
Al-Assad, who ruled Syria for over two decades, fled to Russia late last year after an offensive by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. In his absence, a transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa has been working to restore stability and rebuild the war-torn nation.
During her visit, Baerbock is scheduled to meet with al-Sharaa to discuss Germany’s role in Syria’s reconstruction and diplomatic engagement.
