Germany reopened its Damascus embassy on Thursday, 13 years after it was closed early in Syria’s civil war.
The German news agency DPA reported that Foreign Minister Analena Bearbock reopened the embassy when he visited Damascus.
Germany is one of the main authority of the European Union. Of the other members of the 27-nation bloc, Italy reopened its embassies last year before the collapse of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, and Spain reopened its embassies after its expulsion.
Baerbock said in a statement ahead of her arrival that her trip was intended to update the message that “a political beginning between Europe and Syria, a political beginning between Germany and Syria is possible.”
The HTS-led militants ruled Damascus on December 8th, ending Assad’s control with a surprising attack launched from a base in northwestern Syria, reaching the capital less than two weeks later.
Since then, HTS leader Abu Muhammad Jolani, known as Ahmad Sharaa, has introduced himself as the country’s new interim president.
MA/PR