In a landmark visit to Damascus, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with Syria's new de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on Friday. Representing the European Union, the two diplomats expressed a commitment to supporting a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad's regime last month.
This visit marked the highest-level engagement by Western powers with Syria since rebel forces, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), seized control of Damascus on December 8. It also underscored the EU's cautious openness to engaging with Syria's new leadership despite its complex history and ties to extremist organizations.
One of the most symbolic moments of the visit was the ministers' tour of the notorious Sednaya prison, a site synonymous with the brutalities of Assad's regime. Accompanied by members of the White Helmets rescue organization, Barrot and Baerbock walked through cells and underground dungeons where thousands of Assad's opponents were reportedly tortured, executed, or disappeared. Advocacy groups estimate that more than 4,000 detainees were freed from Sednaya when rebel forces took Damascus, though many others remain unaccounted for.
"Now it's up to the international community to help bring justice to the people who have suffered here in this prison of hell," Baerbock said after the tour. The site's grim history, including reports of a crematorium used to dispose of bodies, epitomized the atrocities committed during Assad's decades-long rule.
The new leadership, dominated by HTS, faces immense challenges in rebuilding Syria's shattered state institutions while balancing demands for inclusivity and minority rights. HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who spearheaded the offensive that toppled Assad, has sought to distance the group from its al-Qaeda origins, signaling a willingness to govern on behalf of all Syrians. However, skepticism remains, given HTS's history and ongoing international designation as a terrorist organization.
During their visit, Barrot and Baerbock held closed-door talks with Sharaa at the People's Palace. While no formal statements followed the meeting, Barrot emphasized France and Germany's commitment to supporting Syria's transition. "Together, France and Germany stand alongside the Syrian people, in all their diversity," he said in a post on X. "We hope for a sovereign, stable, and peaceful Syria."
Baerbock echoed these sentiments, stating, "Germany wants to help Syria become a safe home for all its people and a functioning state with full control over its territory." She also emphasized the importance of avoiding acts of vengeance, holding elections promptly, and resisting the Islamization of judicial and educational systems. "We know where HTS comes from ideologically, but we also see a desire for moderation and understanding," she said.
The ministers' visit came amid broader discussions about Syria's future. International stakeholders, including the Biden administration, have outlined conditions for recognizing the new government. These include protecting minority groups, facilitating humanitarian aid, securing chemical weapons, and preventing Syria from becoming a terrorist base.
Barrot and Baerbock also met with representatives of Syria's Christian communities, reaffirming Europe's commitment to a pluralistic society with equal rights for all. Diplomatic sources revealed that Barrot emphasized the need for a constitution that guarantees these principles.
The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011, has left over 500,000 people dead and millions displaced. Assad's regime was widely condemned for its brutal suppression of dissent, leading to a fractured nation and a prolonged humanitarian crisis. With Assad now in exile in Russia, the new authorities are calling for the lifting of international sanctions to enable reconstruction efforts.
Baerbock described her visit as an "outstretched hand" to Syria's new rulers but noted that they would be judged by their actions. She also called on foreign powers, including Russia, to withdraw military forces from Syrian territory, underscoring the importance of Syrian sovereignty.
