Macron becomes first Western head of state to travel to Syria since the end of Assad rule

Following the takeover of power, the former rebel leader had sought closeness to Western countries and to states in the Middle East. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani received Macron after landing at Damascus airport. The reception marks a remarkable new beginning in relations between Paris and Damascus.

The reception at the airport kicked off a program that includes several working meals and talks with Syrian transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa, as well as meetings with Syrian civil society actors. An economic forum on Syria's reconstruction and strategic corridors is also planned. At the center is the question of how France can advance the country's reconstruction after 13 years of civil war.

Background: France's long relationship with Syria

France had swiftly sought a rapprochement with Damascus after the fall of Assad and resumed diplomatic relations. The last French head of state to visit Syria was Nicolas Sarkozy in January 2009. No head of state of an EU country had visited Syria since 2010.

Relations between Paris and Damascus had deteriorated dramatically after the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. France closed its embassy in Syria and became the first country to join the US-led coalition against the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS). At the same time, France supplied weapons to the Syrian opposition in the fight against IS. The background is also that IS carried out several severe terror attacks in France, including the Paris attacks in 2015.

From dialogue to rapprochement

France has a long historical connection to Syria: after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Paris became the mandatory power in Syria and neighboring Lebanon. From 1920 until Syrian independence in 1946, Paris effectively controlled the Syrian economy and education system. French cultural and historical influence remains palpable in Syria and Lebanon to this day.

Macron had already received al-Sharaa at the Élysée Palace in Paris a little over a year before the trip, even though the Islamist was on an EU terror list at the time. That reception was controversial at the time. Macron pledged support for Syria's reconstruction but tied it to conditions, justifying the dialogue with national interests — especially security interests — and the desire not to leave influence over Syria to China and Russia.

In a post on platform X, Macron declared: "Ich komme, um das Engagement Frankreichs für das syrische Volk zum Ausdruck zu bringen. Lassen Sie uns gemeinsam ein neues Kapitel der Stabilität und des Friedens aufschlagen." Syria hopes the relationship with France will deliver concrete reconstruction assistance and strengthen the battered economy, for instance through investment.

Geopolitical shifts

Syria was largely internationally isolated during the devastating civil war and the brutal rule of Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown in late 2024. The Islamist militia HTS, led by al-Sharaa, toppled the long-time ruler Assad after nearly 14 years of civil war. After the takeover of power, al-Sharaa was appointed transitional president and has since steered the country toward opening and rapprochement with the West.

Following the Syria visit, Macron will travel to the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Macron's visit underscores Syria's geopolitical shift under President al-Sharaa and signals Syria's return to the international stage. The trip is considered a historic moment in relations between Europe and the country after years of isolation.

This news was broadcast on 06.07.2026 on the Deutschlandfunk program.