Syrian Transitional President Ahmed al-Scharaa Cancels Visit to Germany Amid Escalating Conflict

Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Scharaa has canceled his scheduled visit to Germany, originally planned for January 18 and 19, citing ongoing intense fighting within Syria. The cancellation was confirmed by government spokespersons as a direct result of escalating violence, particularly heavy clashes in northern Syria and Aleppo involving Kurdish militias and al-Scharaa's forces.

The visit was set to include high-profile meetings with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, alongside discussions with German business representatives. Central themes for the meetings were the return of Syrian refugees currently living in Germany and plans for Syria’s reconstruction—a key topic following the announcement last year of a German-Syrian economic council by Foreign Minister Jan Christian Wadephul.

However, al-Scharaa’s visit had been met with criticism from Kurdish and Alawite communities in Germany who accuse his government of violently suppressing ethnic and religious minorities, including Kurds, Alawites, and Druze. Demonstrations against the visit were planned in Germany in response to these concerns.

In the days leading up to the cancellation, al-Scharaa’s forces launched major offensives against Kurdish militias in Aleppo, targeting strategic sites such as the Tishrin Dam and the Conoco gas field in Deir Essor, crucial for Kurdish revenue. Despite these hostilities, a ceasefire between al-Scharaa’s government and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was agreed upon and brokered by US Special Envoy Tom Barrack, who described it as a significant turning point. Yet, the durability of this ceasefire remains uncertain due to persistent distrust and conflict history.

Ahmed al-Scharaa, who assumed transitional presidency after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, has positioned himself as a leader seeking rapprochement with the West and respect for minority rights, though accusations of failure to protect minorities persist. The cancellation underscores the precarious security and political situation in Syria, complicating international diplomatic and reconstruction efforts.

Al-Scharaa’s canceled visit leaves Germany’s Syrian refugee policy and reconstruction collaboration in limbo, with no immediate rescheduling announced. The situation remains fluid as violence continues in Syria and political tensions weigh on potential engagement between the two countries.