Ahmed al-Scharaa

Ahmed al-Scharaa is the interim president of Syria in 2026, following the reported fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. He is a key figure in discussions surrounding the potential return of Syrian refugees from Germany. Al-Scharaa met with German Chancellor Merz in Berlin, where a controversial claim arose regarding a potential 80% return rate of Syrian refugees, a claim al-Scharaa later disputed. He also met with German Foreign Minister Wadephul in Damascus in October 2025. Furthermore, al-Scharaa hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Damascus in April 2026, signaling a potential cooperation between Syria and Ukraine, including food supply agreements. His role is significant as Syria navigates its post-civil war landscape and international relations, particularly concerning refugee repatriation and geopolitical alliances.