Newsletters Events
Logo Logo

The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Search

Syrian president cancels Germany visit, Merz meeting

AL-MONITOR
Jan 18, 2026
FILE PHOTO: Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivers a speech on the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's fall, in Damascus, Syria December 8, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa delivers a speech on the first anniversary of Bashar al-Assad's fall, in Damascus, Syria December 8, 2025. REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi/File Photo — Khalil Ashawi

BERLIN, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa has cancelled his visit to Berlin on Monday and Tuesday, a German government spokesperson told Reuters.

Al-Sharaa had been scheduled to meet with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Talks with German business leaders were also planned.

A ceasefire was agreed on Sunday after days of fierce clashes between Syrian government troops and U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters.

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke, Writing by Rachel More, Editing by Alexander Smith)

This one's on us.

The story doesn't end here.

Our correspondents are already on the next chapter. Read everything they file, from $2/week.

See Offers