Trending Now - Germany Anticipates Syrian Refugees May Return Within Three Years
WHO:
Politico - Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa was previously known under the pseudonym Abu Mohammad al-Julani.
AP News - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
AP News - Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa
AP News - More than 900,000 Syrian citizens in Germany
WHAT:
Politico - By the end of 2024, around 1.23 million people of Syrian origin were registered in Germany.
AP News - Merz stated that the initiative to facilitate the return of Syrians without a legal right to stay in Germany will help create conditions for economic growth in Syria.
AP News - Merz raised the prospect of many Syrians returning to their homeland over the next few years.
AP News - Merz stated that about 80% of the Syrians currently living in Germany should return to their homeland.
AP News - Al-Sharaa noted that there are 6,000 doctors working in hospitals in Germany and over a quarter of a million Syrians who pay taxes and contribute to the German economy.
AP News - Al-Sharaa described the Syrians in Germany as "common national assets" to both countries.
WHERE:
Politico - Around 120 demonstrators gathered outside the chancellery office in Berlin to protest al-Sharaa’s visit.
AP News - Germany
AP News - Syria
AP News - Berlin, where the German-Syrian economic roundtable took place
WHEN:
AP News - Merz's government took office nearly 11 months ago, which would be around April 2025.
AP News - The civil war in Syria ended with the ouster of Bashar Assad in December 2024.
AP News - The meeting between Merz and al-Sharaa occurred on March 30th, 2026.
WHY:
Politico - Critics argue that al-Sharaa’s visit is strengthening Islamist structures in Germany.
AP News - Merz's government aims to reduce migration and step up returns of migrants who aren’t entitled to stay.
AP News - Merz argued that returning Syrians are needed to help rebuild Syria's economy after the civil war.
HOW:
Politico - Supporters of al-Sharaa gathered in Berlin, waving the national flag and chanting in support of him during his visit.
AP News - Al-Sharaa mentioned working with the German government to establish a circular immigration model for skilled Syrians to contribute to Syria's reconstruction while maintaining their stability in Germany.
(UPDATED March 31, 2026 01:23 UTC)
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, previously known by the pseudonym Abu Mohammad al-Julani, visited Berlin, where around 120 demonstrators protested outside the chancellery office against his presence, citing concerns that his visit could strengthen Islamist structures in Germany. Supporters of al-Sharaa also gathered in the city, waving the national flag and chanting in his favor. Meanwhile, by the end of 2024, approximately 1.23 million people of Syrian origin are expected to be registered in Germany, and German politician Merz has stated that an initiative to facilitate the return of Syrians without legal status will help foster economic growth in Syria.
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(UPDATED March 30, 2026 23:12 UTC)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Berlin on Monday, where they discussed the possibility of over 900,000 Syrians currently living in Germany returning to their homeland. Merz suggested that around 80 percent of these Syrians should go back to help rebuild Syria's economy after the civil war, while al-Sharaa highlighted the contributions of the Syrian community in Germany, including 6,000 doctors and over a quarter of a million taxpayers. The two leaders also talked about creating a circular immigration model that would allow skilled Syrians to support Syria's reconstruction while ensuring their stability in Germany.