Top diplomats from France and Germany, Jean-Noel Barrot and Annalena Baerbock, visited Damascus on Friday, representing the European Union, to express support for a peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
This high-level visit marked the first of its kind by major Western powers since the fall of Assad’s regime last month, which was led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa.
One of the first stops during their visit was Syria’s notorious Sednaya prison, located near the capital.
Accompanied by Syrian rescue workers from the White Helmets, Baerbock and Barrot toured the grim cells and underground dungeons of Sednaya, a facility that symbolizes the atrocities committed by Assad’s regime.
The prison was known for extrajudicial executions, torture, and forced disappearances. According to advocacy groups, over 4,000 prisoners were freed when rebel forces captured Damascus on December 8.
However, many detainees, both criminals and political opponents, disappeared without a trace.
In 2017, the U.S. State Department revealed that a crematorium at the prison was used to dispose of bodies to cover up mass executions.
During their visit, the European diplomats met with Sharaa, now the leader of Syria’s interim authorities, to discuss the future of the country.
The HTS-dominated leadership faces significant challenges in rebuilding state institutions, with growing demands for an inclusive transition and the protection of minority rights.
Barrot expressed optimism about a “sovereign, stable, and peaceful” Syria, while acknowledging that this hope remained fragile.
He stressed that the aspirations of all Syrians must be addressed in the process. Baerbock, in her statement, emphasized Germany’s commitment to helping Syria become a “safe home” for all its citizens and a “functioning state” with full control over its territory.
The closed-door meeting with Sharaa, which lasted roughly an hour and a half, ended without formal statements to the press.
However, Barrot took to social media, declaring, “Together, France and Germany stand alongside the Syrian people, in all their diversity.”
Despite skepticism about HTS’s past connections to al-Qaeda, Baerbock stated that Europe should not miss the opportunity to support Syria at this critical juncture.
Sharaa has distanced himself and HTS from al-Qaeda in recent years, signaling a commitment to respect Syria’s diverse religious groups.
The U.S. government, after Assad’s departure to Russia, indicated it could recognize a new Syrian government under certain conditions, including the protection of minority rights, the flow of humanitarian aid, and the prevention of Syria being used as a base for terrorism.
Baerbock reiterated that Germany was prepared to assist in a peaceful, inclusive power transfer and support efforts for social reconciliation in Syria.
She also urged the new regime to refrain from vengeance against certain population groups, avoid delaying elections, and resist any attempts to “Islamize” the judicial and education systems.
Earlier, Barrot had met with Syria’s Christian community leaders, where he assured them of France’s commitment to a pluralistic Syria with equal rights for all citizens, including minorities.
Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, which led to the deaths of over 500,000 people and displaced millions, many countries, including France and Germany, had closed their diplomatic missions in Damascus. The conflict left Syria divided and devastated.
The new Syrian authorities have called for the lifting of international sanctions imposed during Assad’s reign, hoping to pave the way for reconstruction.
Paris is set to host an international summit on Syria later this month, following a similar meeting held in December in Jordan.