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Germany Strengthens Ties with Syria Amid Controversial Visit

1/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Sharaa, Bashar al-Assad's representative, will visit Germany to meet President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, marking his first trip since taking office.
Germany seeks to strengthen ties with Syria amid the visit.
NGOs, including Kurdish and Alawite groups, condemned Sharaa's visit as unacceptable.
The German foreign ministry will discuss minority treatment with the Syrian government.
In December, Germany deported a Syrian man convicted of crimes, a move criticized by rights groups.

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Story summary

Sharaa, Bashar al-Assad's representative, will visit Germany to meet President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, marking his first trip since taking office.
Germany seeks to strengthen ties with Syria amid the visit.
NGOs, including Kurdish and Alawite groups, condemned Sharaa's visit as unacceptable.
The German foreign ministry will discuss minority treatment with the Syrian government.
In December, Germany deported a Syrian man convicted of crimes, a move criticized by rights groups.