Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sarra visited Berlin and reaffirmed his commitment to minority rights. During a meeting with Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Chancellery, he said, “We are very diverse in Syria, and everyone should receive their rights. We want to deepen the rule of law so that the constitution guarantees every right”. He noted that people in the region have lived together for thousands of years and, after the fall of the Assad regime, hopes to restore a “good form of coexistence”. Al‑Sarra cited a decree on Kurdish rights and added that “we also recognize their cultural heritage”.
Chancellor Merz welcomed these statements. He praised the President’s ability to reach a reconciliation with the Kurdish population and mentioned that the process of integrating Kurdish forces into the national army is moving forward. Merz also agreed that the state should hold the sole monopoly on violence, stating, “That is exactly what our conception of rule of law and separation of powers entails”. He added that, while many tasks remain, he is optimistic that the President’s words will translate into real rights for all minorities, including religious ones.
Al‑Sarra has served as Syria’s interim president since the end of January 2025. Prior to that, he led the Hay’at Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS) militia, which played a key role in toppling the Assad regime. While he was a wanted terrorist accused of serious war crimes, he now presents himself as a moderate leader seeking closer ties with the West. Nevertheless, the security situation in Syria remains tense, especially for minority communities.