For the first time since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the German government is holding talks with the new rulers in Syria. German diplomats have travelled to the capital Damascus to speak with the transitional government set up by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) today, various media outlets quoted a spokeswoman for the Foreign Ministry as saying. Accordingly, the focus will be on an ‘inclusive transition process’ in Syria and the protection of minorities. Last week, an alliance under the leadership of HTS overthrew Assad, who is now in Russia and has been granted asylum.

The delegation also intends to meet people from Syrian civil society, as well as representatives of Christian communities. “They will also explore the possibility of a diplomatic presence in Damascus,” said the spokeswoman. In addition to staff from the Federal Foreign Office, the group also includes a representative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

However, before German development aid can be provided to Syria, the situation in the country must stabilise further, said the spokeswoman, emphasising that: “Syria must not become a pawn in the hands of foreign powers or a testing ground for radical forces. We know where HTS comes from and are familiar with its origins in Al-Qaeda ideology. The activities of HTS and the transitional government it has set up are being closely monitored. So far, as far as we can tell, they have been acting prudently. Like our international partners, we will judge them by their actions. Any cooperation requires that ethnic and religious minorities be protected and that women's rights be respected.”

The European Union and the United Nations have also begun to establish contact in Syria. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas sent the German top diplomat, Michael Ohnmacht, to Damascus for this purpose. UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen was also recently in the Syrian capital and spoke with the HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who now goes by his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa.