On Tuesday, explosions struck near the Syrian hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying. Although the blasts were not audible to Macron or his motorcade, security remained tight. France’s top leader met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa shortly after, despite the security risks highlighted by the explosions.
Macron’s visit marks a significant moment as he becomes the first EU head of state to visit Syria since Sharaa’s forces ousted Bashar al-Assad. The trip underscores the geopolitical transformation under Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander now building relations with Western and Middle Eastern nations, once adversaries of Assad.
This geopolitical shift is set against the backdrop of Syria’s ongoing internal struggles. Sharaa has promised to foster an inclusive governance model for the war-torn nation, but sectarian violence continues to challenge his promise, posing ongoing risks for Syria’s fragile stability.
(With inputs from agencies.)