Syrian President Shara visits Berlin to discuss refugee return

By Ahmet Taş | Wise News Press

BERLIN, GERMANY — Syrian transitional President Ahmed Shara has arrived in Berlin for his first official visit to discuss the return of refugees, reconstruction, and regional security with top German officials.

The highly anticipated diplomatic meetings, originally delayed in January due to clashes in northern Syria, come amid mounting domestic pressure on the German government to address irregular migration and ongoing international scrutiny over Syria's fragile post-war stability.

Official agenda and reconstruction efforts

Shara began his diplomatic engagements by meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace. Later today, he is scheduled to hold extensive talks with Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which will be followed by a joint press conference.

According to German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius, the discussions between Merz and Shara will focus on the broader war involving Iran, Syria's political landscape, reconstruction initiatives, and the repatriation of Syrians living in Germany. The German Foreign Ministry noted that Shara will also meet with business and political leaders to explore economic recovery strategies. Ahead of the talks, the German Interior Ministry announced a new initiative to train Syrian emergency personnel to support the country's disaster management capabilities.

Missing journalist and security concerns

A pressing issue in the background of these talks is the fate of Eva Maria Michelmann, a German journalist who has been missing since January 18. Michelmann is believed to have been detained by Damascus-aligned forces in Raqqa during clashes between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian army. When asked if her disappearance would be addressed during the meetings, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson simply stated that they are "dealing with the issue."

Security threats remain severe across Syria. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, the country has witnessed deadly attacks fueled by ethnic, religious, and political divisions involving Alawite, Druze, and Kurdish populations. A United Nations report released last week detailed potential war crimes, including summary executions, torture, and gender-based violence, committed during clashes between Druze fighters and Sunni Bedouin groups in Suwayda in July 2025. Additionally, the continued military presence of Turkey and Israel, alongside periodic Israeli airstrikes, adds to the region's instability.

The dilemma of refugee returns

The repatriation of asylum seekers is a top priority for Merz's conservative government, which faces growing pressure from the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Germany currently hosts nearly 1 million Syrian migrants, most of whom arrived during the peak of the civil war in 2015. Since the regime change, only a fraction have returned to their home country.

The German government has sent mixed signals regarding deportations. Chancellor Merz previously stated that the civil war has ended and there is no longer a justification for asylum. However, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul struck a different tone following his visit to Damascus in October 2025, remarking that "almost no one can live humanely here," suggesting that short-term mass returns are unfeasible. Despite this, the government quietly resumed deporting convicted criminals to Syria late last year, though actual case numbers remain very low.

Human rights criticisms and protests

Shara's domestic policies have raised alarms among human rights organizations, making the prospect of refugee returns even more controversial. Recent implementations in Damascus, such as bans on alcohol sales and bikinis on beaches, have sparked concerns over personal freedoms under the former radical Islamist leader.

The visit has drawn sharp criticism from Kurdish organizations in Germany. The Kurdish Community in Germany (KGD) condemned the reception, alleging Shara is responsible for numerous human rights violations and war crimes. Similarly, the Confederation of Communities of Kurdistan in Germany (KON-MED) stated that hosting Shara while attacks on minority groups continue sends a dangerous message that these violations are being ignored. Protests against the forced return of refugees are expected to take place in Berlin today.

Since taking office, Shara has engaged in a broad diplomatic push, visiting regional powers like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, as well as Russia, France, and the United States. Western nations have gradually lifted sanctions on Syria in hopes that Shara can foster stability after 14 years of devastating civil war.

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