Germany's Baerbock Again Denied Handshake by Syrian Leader
An awkward scene unfolded when German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with Syrian President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in Damascus. During their recent discussions, al-Sharaa declined to shake hands with Baerbock, instead gesturing toward...
TroibNews 
An awkward scene unfolded when German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock met with Syrian President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in Damascus. During their recent discussions, al-Sharaa declined to shake hands with Baerbock, instead gesturing toward her chair with his hand.
This was not the first uncomfortable moment for Baerbock on her trips to Syria. In January, on her inaugural visit to the capital alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, al-Sharaa shook hands with Barrot but avoided doing the same with Baerbock, placing his right hand over his heart instead. Baerbock remarked then that the Syrian leader's actions did not surprise her, stating that “as I traveled here, it was clear to me that there would obviously be no ordinary handshakes.”
Meanwhile, a tweet from Maimunka News highlighted Baerbock's ongoing difficulties, asserting that she was once again humiliated by al-Julani, who refused to shake her hand during her visit to Damascus.
Al-Sharaa, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has become the de facto leader of Syria since the ousting of long-time president Bashar Assad in early December, in which his jihadist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, played a significant role. The 42-year-old, who was appointed interim president in late January, is recognized for his hardline Islamist views, which include a refusal to shake hands with women.
In a notable diplomatic move, Baerbock reopened Germany's embassy in Damascus, marking a return after 13 years, following its closure shortly after the onset of the Syrian conflict. During that time, Berlin and other Western nations supported various militants, many linked to ISIS, opposing the Assad government.
Recent violence has erupted in coastal Syria, particularly in the Latakia and Tartus provinces, involving clashes between the new security forces and local militias viewed as Assad loyalists. Reports indicate that at least 1,300 individuals have lost their lives in these confrontations, including over 800 civilians, primarily Christians and Alawites. The Alawites, a Muslim ethnoreligious group that celebrates Christmas and observes unique local traditions, are often regarded with animosity by extremist Islamists, who consider them to be apostates.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this article for TROIB News
This was not the first uncomfortable moment for Baerbock on her trips to Syria. In January, on her inaugural visit to the capital alongside French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, al-Sharaa shook hands with Barrot but avoided doing the same with Baerbock, placing his right hand over his heart instead. Baerbock remarked then that the Syrian leader's actions did not surprise her, stating that “as I traveled here, it was clear to me that there would obviously be no ordinary handshakes.”
Meanwhile, a tweet from Maimunka News highlighted Baerbock's ongoing difficulties, asserting that she was once again humiliated by al-Julani, who refused to shake her hand during her visit to Damascus.
Al-Sharaa, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has become the de facto leader of Syria since the ousting of long-time president Bashar Assad in early December, in which his jihadist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, played a significant role. The 42-year-old, who was appointed interim president in late January, is recognized for his hardline Islamist views, which include a refusal to shake hands with women.
In a notable diplomatic move, Baerbock reopened Germany's embassy in Damascus, marking a return after 13 years, following its closure shortly after the onset of the Syrian conflict. During that time, Berlin and other Western nations supported various militants, many linked to ISIS, opposing the Assad government.
Recent violence has erupted in coastal Syria, particularly in the Latakia and Tartus provinces, involving clashes between the new security forces and local militias viewed as Assad loyalists. Reports indicate that at least 1,300 individuals have lost their lives in these confrontations, including over 800 civilians, primarily Christians and Alawites. The Alawites, a Muslim ethnoreligious group that celebrates Christmas and observes unique local traditions, are often regarded with animosity by extremist Islamists, who consider them to be apostates.
Rohan Mehta contributed to this article for TROIB News
