Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa is undertaking his first official visits to Germany and Britain on Monday and Tuesday, marking a significant acceleration in European diplomatic engagement with post-Assad Syria. The Syrian presidency announced the historic tour through state news agency SANA, stating that al-Sharaa will hold meetings with senior officials in both countries to discuss bilateral relations and reconstruction efforts. The visit reflects a dramatic shift in European capitals’ approach to Damascus following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, and comes amid sustained Syrian efforts to rejoin international economic and financial systems. Al-Sharaa’s tour represents a carefully calibrated European opening to Syria’s new political leadership after 14 years of civil war.
Official Receptions in Berlin and London
German Chancellor Friedrich Mertz will receive President al-Sharaa in Berlin, according to an announcement by the German government on Friday. The German discussions will focus on economic and social priorities that reflect Berlin’s broader strategic interests in Syria’s reconstruction and reintegration into the global economy.
Talks will cover Syria’s economic stability, reconstruction efforts, energy cooperation, and strengthening bilateral trade and economic relations. Germany is also seeking to discuss Syria’s reintegration into the international financial system, a crucial step for any genuine economic recovery. Berlin aims to coordinate efforts aimed at attracting foreign investment and supporting institution-building in Damascus.
The issue of Syrian refugees residing in Germany is also expected to feature prominently in discussions, given that Germany hosts the largest Syrian refugee population among European Union member states.
Germany as Refuge for Millions of Syrians
Germany shelters the largest Syrian diaspora in Europe. According to Germany’s Interior Ministry, approximately one million Syrians were residing in the country by the end of March 2025, the largest number among all European Union states. Germany provided safe haven to roughly one million Syrians fleeing the 14-year civil war before Assad’s regime collapsed in December 2024.
The Syrian refugee file holds paramount importance for the new Damascus government, representing an opportunity to recover skilled workforce, expertise, and human resources needed for economic and institutional reconstruction.
Britain Resumes Full Diplomatic Relations with Damascus
The British leg of the visit follows London’s announcement in July 2025 of the resumption of full diplomatic relations with Syria. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited Damascus in that pivotal visit, making it the first visit by a British foreign minister in 14 years.
The British government clarified that its engagement with Damascus pursues multiple strategic objectives including the following:
Support for Syria’s democratic political transition
Backing economic and development recovery
Countering remaining ISIS threats and security challenges
Reducing irregular migration flows
Addressing chemical weapons and war crimes accountability
Context of Gradual European Opening
The current visit occurs within a framework of measured and careful engagement by European capitals with post-Assad Syria since the December 2024 overthrow. Germany reopened its embassy in Damascus in March 2025 after a 13-year closure, signaling Berlin’s strong commitment to rebuilding bilateral ties.
Syria opened its general consulate in Bonn in February 2026, reflecting gradual confidence-building between the two sides. France was the earliest to engage, with President Emmanuel Macron receiving al-Sharaa in Paris in May 2025 during his first European visit since taking power.
Sectarian Tensions in Saqilabiya Cloud Stability Narrative
A development reflecting Syria’s ongoing security challenges occurred when Damascus churches cancelled Palm Sunday celebrations on Saturday in solidarity with residents of Saqilabiya, a predominantly Christian town in rural Hama province. The decision followed security tensions that erupted Friday evening between local residents and armed men from neighboring villages.
Raafat Abu al-Nasser, coordinator of youth activities for the Greek Catholic Church, stated in a phone call Saturday: “We made a collective decision in all Damascus churches to stop all scheduled celebrations tomorrow Sunday, not out of fear, but in solidarity with our people in Saqilabiya.”
Details of the Attack and Sense of Threat
Saqilabiya experienced a Friday night assault with clear sectarian overtones. Armed and masked attackers from nearby villages including al-Mudiq stormed the town in an assault involving vandalism, property damage, and attacks on civilians. Assailants smashed more than 20 shops and set fire to several vehicles.
Hassan (56 years), a local resident, stated: “We heard gunfire and chanting last night and stayed in our homes out of fear for our lives.” He added: “We have been in this land for thousands of years and will not accept leaving it. We are part of it and will not abandon our demands despite all threats.”
Authorities’ Response and Accountability Demands
Syrian internal security forces intervened to break up what state news agency SANA described as a “group brawl” between youths in Saqilabiya. Security forces restored order after detaining several suspects. Subsequently, notables from surrounding villages and tribes met and classified the incident as a “individual fight” that had been contained, pledging to end tensions and pursue legal proceedings.
Dozens held a silent sit-in Saturday in central Saqilabiya holding signs demanding “No to loose weapons…Yes to a Syrian state that includes all components,” and “No to a single-colored army” and “No to false media.” Protesters called for accountability of those responsible and security officials implicated in the incident.
The Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East for the Greek Orthodox condemned what it described as an “attack and intimidation” on Saqilabiya, demanding an official investigation and accountability for those involved.
Waves of Sectarian Violence Shake Stability
The Saqilabiya incident is not isolated. Syria has witnessed repeated waves of sectarian violence since Assad’s regime fell in December 2024 and opposition factions led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham took power. Most notably, coastal communities experienced violence targeting civilian Alawites in March 2025, after authorities blamed armed supporters of former President al-Assad with inciting violence through attacks on security forces.
Sweida province, the stronghold of Syria’s Druze minority, witnessed deadly clashes in July 2025 between armed Druze fighters and Bedouin combatants that escalated following government force intervention and tribal militias joining the fighting, resulting in significant casualties.
Conclusion:
Syrian President al-Sharaa’s visits to Germany and Britain arrive at a critical moment for post-Assad Syria. While European capitals open diplomatic channels to Damascus and invest in its economic stability, Syria continues grappling with sectarian tensions and security challenges rooted in the civil war and its aftermath. The visit reflects Syrian ambitions for international reintegration and escape from economic isolation, while incidents like the Saqilabiya violence expose fragility in internal security and the new government’s need to build genuine confidence among all social components. The success of Syria’s international rehabilitation depends not only on diplomatic openings but on demonstrable progress in establishing rule of law and protecting minority communities.
