Germany plans talks with representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Damascus on Tuesday, the foreign ministry said, joining the United States and Britain in establishing contact with the Islamist group after it led the overthrow of Syria's Bashar al-Assad.
German diplomats' first talks with representatives of the HTS-appointed interim government will focus on a transitional process for Syria and the protection of minorities, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry said.
"The possibilities of a diplomatic presence in Damascus are also being explored there," the spokesperson added in a statement, reiterating that Berlin was monitoring HTS closely in light of its roots in al Qaeda ideology.
"As far as one can tell, they have acted prudently so far," the spokesperson said of the group, whose rebels led the ouster of Assad earlier this month, ending 13 years of war.
The conflict triggered the movement of some one million Syrian refugees to Germany. Its end has stoked debate in the country on asylum procedures, now paused for Syrians pending an assessment of the situation in their home country.
Germany is liaising closely with its partners, including the US, France and Britain, as well as Arab states, on Syria, the German ministry spokesperson said.
Germany’s Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, will face a vote of no confidence in parliament on Monday, taking a step towards early elections. Scholz is expected to lose the vote, with elections likely to be held by February 2025.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz seeks a vote of confidence in parliament as a prelude to new federal elections after his coalition’s collapse, amid rising political instability in Germany.
Volkswagen faces intensified strikes at German plants as workers protest wage cuts and closures amid union talks. With trust eroded, unions demand concessions, warning of longer strikes, while VW cites cost-cutting as essential to compete with cheaper Asian rivals.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel testified before a parliamentary committee investigating Germany’s role in the chaotic 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal.
Germany has approved a new defense strategy to boost weapons production and expand military capacity in response to the war in Ukraine.
Honda and Nissan are exploring deeper collaboration, including a potential merger, to address growing competition from Tesla and Chinese EV makers. The move could create the world's third-largest automaker, reshaping Japan's automotive industry.
The French overseas territory of Mayotte is grappling with widespread destruction in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, described as the strongest storm to hit the archipelago in over 90 years. Striking over the weekend, the cyclone raised concerns about disaster preparedness and response efforts.
The UN has called for an inclusive political transition in Syria, stressing that progress in this area is critical for securing the economic aid needed to rebuild the war-torn country. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen emphasized that inclusive political transition in Syria is crucial.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was indicted for the murder of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson, charged with first-degree murder and terrorism. Prosecutors say the killing was a planned act to "sow terror," sparking outrage over healthcare costs and access in the U.S.
Israeli troops intensified operations in the U.N.-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights, responding to ongoing security threats and strategic changes following the recent ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Negotiations at COP29 in Baku face a critical impasse as sharp divisions over climate finance and fossil fuel commitments threaten progress.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
The French overseas territory of Mayotte is grappling with widespread destruction in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, described as the strongest storm to hit the archipelago in over 90 years. Striking over the weekend, the cyclone raised concerns about disaster preparedness and response efforts.
The UN has called for an inclusive political transition in Syria, stressing that progress in this area is critical for securing the economic aid needed to rebuild the war-torn country. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen emphasized that inclusive political transition in Syria is crucial.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was indicted for the murder of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson, charged with first-degree murder and terrorism. Prosecutors say the killing was a planned act to "sow terror," sparking outrage over healthcare costs and access in the U.S.
Israeli troops intensified operations in the U.N.-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights, responding to ongoing security threats and strategic changes following the recent ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
“Nothing lasts forever.” These words echo from the walls of a Damascus prison, once a place of terror and torture. Today, two survivors stand inside, reliving the unthinkable.
Honda and Nissan are exploring deeper collaboration, including a potential merger, to address growing competition from Tesla and Chinese EV makers. The move could create the world's third-largest automaker, reshaping Japan's automotive industry.
The French overseas territory of Mayotte is grappling with widespread destruction in the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, described as the strongest storm to hit the archipelago in over 90 years. Striking over the weekend, the cyclone raised concerns about disaster preparedness and response efforts.
The UN has called for an inclusive political transition in Syria, stressing that progress in this area is critical for securing the economic aid needed to rebuild the war-torn country. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen emphasized that inclusive political transition in Syria is crucial.
Luigi Mangione, 26, was indicted for the murder of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson, charged with first-degree murder and terrorism. Prosecutors say the killing was a planned act to "sow terror," sparking outrage over healthcare costs and access in the U.S.
Israeli troops intensified operations in the U.N.-monitored buffer zone between Syria and the Golan Heights, responding to ongoing security threats and strategic changes following the recent ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
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