Syrian interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa (al-Jolani), was supposed to visit Germany tomorrow, Monday. The visit, however, was canceled. He was supposed to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, various federal ministers, and business representatives during the two-day visit.
The visit was canceled due to the internal political situation in Syria. Significant protests had been planned in Germany to oppose al-Jolani’s visit. Additionally, Merz’s invitation of al-Jolani drew criticism from groups accusing the Syrian government of violently suppressing ethnic and religious minorities, particularly Kurds, Druze, and Alevis in Germany.
A German government spokesperson confirmed to Reuters that the interim Syrian president al-Jolani canceled the planned visit to Germany.
According to the spokesperson, al-Jolani canceled the visit due to the internal political situation in Syria.
Since January 6, militias affiliated with al-Jolani, under the influence of the Turkish state, have carried out attacks targeting Kurds.