Germany reopens Syrian embassy for first time since 2012

Opened by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock

Germany on Thursday reopened its embassy in Damascus, more than three months after the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad.

The embassy was formally opened by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during a visit to the Syrian capital.

The embassy was shut after the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2012.

Al-Assad ruled Syria for over two decades. Following a lightning offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham late last year, he fled to Russia.

Since then, the new transitional government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, has been working to restore security and revive the economy.

Baerbock is set to meet al-Sharaa during her visit.