Syria's newly established leadership welcomed the French and German foreign ministers in Damascus on Friday, marking one of the highest-level Western diplomatic visits since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad last month.
Annalena Baerbock from Germany and Jean-Noël Barrot from France arrived in the capital, representing the European Union and signaling an effort to engage with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Islamist group now at the helm of the Syrian government.
The ministers met with Ahmad al-Shara, the group's leader, after visiting Sednaya prison, infamous for the torture and killings carried out under the Assad regime. Ms. Baerbock emphasized the need for inclusive political processes in her statement ahead of the meeting, advocating for representation for all Syrians regardless of ethnicity or religion.
This diplomatic visit reflects a broader trend of increasing engagement between Western officials and Syrian rebel leaders. Al-Shara has been attempting to project a more moderate image since assuming power, despite Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's designation as a terrorist group by the United States and the United Nations due to its ties with Al Qaeda in the past.
Al-Shara has urged the international community to remove sanctions against Syria and has expressed a desire to focus on the country's reconstruction. Mr. Barrot reiterated the importance of a political transition that encompasses all communities in Syria, notably including negotiations with the Kurdish minority in northeastern Syria.
This diplomatic initiative occurs amidst a reshaping of alliances in the Middle East, where Assad’s government previously aligned closely with Iran. The civil conflict, which began with a 2011 uprising against Assad's regime, involved multiple foreign militaries, including those from Iran, Russia, and Turkey.
Notably, several countries, including the United States, have begun to establish relations with the new Syrian government. In a recent meeting in December, a senior State Department official informed Al-Shara that Washington would cease to seek his arrest regarding an outstanding bounty.
However, uncertainty persists among many Syrians, particularly among Christians and minority groups, due to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s conservative Islamist foundations. The group has implemented certain social restrictions in areas under its control, yet Al-Shara's administration seems to be distancing itself from more extreme measures implemented by other Islamist factions.
A recent posting by the Education Ministry indicated a potential shift in the curriculum towards a more Islamist perspective, although the Minister of Education stated that the curriculum remained largely the same, with alterations aimed at removing pro-Assad content.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has outlined plans for a new government structure, asserting that it will consult with diverse Syrian stakeholders while embarking on drafting a new constitution.
Both regional players and international observers remain cautious of the new Syrian administration, including the Gulf States and Israel, which have historically opposed the rise of political Islam. Following the ministers' visit, Israeli air forces reportedly targeted Syrian defense sites near Aleppo, with no immediate reports of casualties. Israel generally refrains from commenting on such operations.
Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes against military installations in Syria since the transition of power, aiming to neutralize advanced weaponry. Al-Shara assured that Syria does not pose a threat to its neighbors and intends to maintain the existing cease-fire agreement with Israel.
Further developments in the region continue to shape the evolving political landscape.