After Assad’s fall: Baerbock visits Syria: “New beginnings are possible”

After the coup in Syria, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock sets conditions for the transitional government formed by rebels to resume relations with Germany and the European Union. “A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria is possible,” explained the Green politician, who arrived in Damascus in the morning for an unannounced visit. However, the prerequisite is that all Syrians, women and men, regardless of ethnic or religious group, are given a place in the political process, granted rights and offered protection.

In Syria, Baerbock wants to hold talks with representatives of the transitional government around four weeks after the fall of long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad together with her French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot and on behalf of the EU. De facto ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa is the leader of the Islamist rebel group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and was previously known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Jolani.

The Foreign Minister flew to Damascus from Cyprus in the morning. Barrot had celebrated the New Year with Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu in Lebanon, not far away, with the French soldiers from the UN observer mission Unifil stationed there. Baerbock and Barrot are the first EU foreign ministers to visit Syria since Assad’s fall.

Baerbock calls for protection of women and minorities

Baerbock said that the rights of women and minorities must be protected and should not be “undermined by excessively long deadlines for elections or steps to Islamize the justice or education systems.”

Al-Sharaa had recently said that it could take around three years for a new draft constitution to be presented and another year for elections to take place. After more than ten years of civil war, the Arab country is fragmented and divided along sectarian lines. Even after Assad’s fall, rival militias continue to fight for power.

Baerbock said they wanted to support Syria with a peaceful transfer of power, the reconciliation of society and reconstruction – in addition to the humanitarian aid that has been provided for the people in Syria in recent years.

Baerbock demanded that there could only be a new beginning if the past was dealt with, justice was established and acts of revenge against population groups were avoided. Extremism and radical groups should have no place.

Skepticism because of the rebels’ past

“We know where the HTS comes from ideologically, what it has done in the past,” said Baerbock. But one also sees the desire for moderation and understanding with other important actors. The start of talks with the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is an important sign in this direction.

HTS emerged from the Al-Nusra Front, an offshoot of the Al-Qaeda terrorist network. Al-Sharaa broke away from Al-Qaeda and the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS). To this day, however, there are reports that the HTS leadership maintains contact with Al-Qaeda.

Baerbock: We will judge HTS by their actions

In view of this, Baerbock said: “We will continue to judge the HTS by its actions. Despite all the skepticism, we must not miss the opportunity to support the people in Syria at this important crossroads.”

The Federal Foreign Minister explained that Germany is also committed to ensuring that the internal Syrian process is not disrupted from outside. This also includes respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity by all neighboring states, she added, obviously with a view to Turkey and Israel, which are accused of pursuing their own interests in Syria. It is also time for Russia to leave its military bases in Syria. Moscow has been one of Assad’s most important allies for years.

More than 16 million Syrians rely on humanitarian aid

After almost 14 years of civil war, Syria is largely destroyed and contaminated by landmines and other weapons. The country is lacking workers and skilled workers, the economy is shrinking and the currency has lost more than 90 percent of its value since 2020. The provision of public services has collapsed. More than 16 million people are dependent on humanitarian aid.

Almost a million Syrian refugees in Germany

Baerbock’s talks in Damascus are also likely to focus on the return of Syrian refugees from Germany, which is advocated by the transitional government. According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior, around 975,000 Syrians currently live in Germany. Most have come to the country since 2015 as a result of the civil war.