Overview

• Annalena Baerbock has arrived in Damascus for her second visit since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
• The visit follows a violent outbreak in northwestern Syria earlier this month, reportedly initiated by Assad loyalists, resulting in 1,500 deaths, mostly civilians.
• Baerbock is engaging with the transitional government, led by Ahmed al-Scharaa, to discuss counterterrorism, economic recovery, and justice for crimes under Assad's regime.
• Germany has offered conditional humanitarian aid and potential sanctions relief, tied to the transitional government's progress on freedom, security, and equality for all citizens.
• The transitional government accuses Assad loyalists of attempting to incite a new civil war, with military responses targeting Alawite communities.