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Wadephul compares Syria: Worse than Germany in 1945!
In Western Pomerania-Rügen, information is being provided about the tragic death of two men and the political situation in Syria is being discussed.
Wadephul compares Syria: Worse than Germany in 1945!
In a remarkable internal meeting today, Foreign Minister Wadephul (CDU) compared the situation in Syria with the devastating conditions in Germany in 1945. He said succinctly that the circumstances in Syria were even worse than the conditions in Germany after the Second World War. This statement comes against the backdrop of the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has plagued Syria since the civil war erupted in 2011.
But what makes the situation in Syria so dramatic? The country, officially known as the Syrian Arab Republic, is located in Western Asia and has an area of approximately 185,180 km². With a population of around 25 million and a variety of ethnic groups, including Arabs, Kurds and Assyrians, Syria has a rich, albeit complex, cultural heritage. The capital Damascus is the largest city and is led by an interim government under Ahmed al-Sharaa, which was formed after the overthrow of President Assad in late 2024. Information about this can be found at Wikipedia.
The challenges of war
The civil war forced over 6 million people to flee and devastated large parts of the country. While the ISIS militia grew in territorial importance over the course of the decade-long conflict, it was finally defeated in 2017. But the economic and social consequences of the war continue to be devastating. Poverty and food insecurity are commonplace in many parts of the country, and the Syrian economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid, particularly from countries such as Iran and Russia.
Wadephul reminded his listeners how post-war reconstruction in Germany posed an immense challenge. The picture he painted of Syria was riddled with serious human rights violations and an unstable political situation. The report on Picture Highlights that the Assad government is responsible for serious human rights violations, which have led to a humanitarian crisis in which millions of people need assistance.
A look into the future
However, with the adoption of an interim constitution in March 2025, which introduces a presidential system without a prime minister, the challenges for the new leadership remain significant. The path to stability and reconstruction is lined with complications that challenge the international community as well as local actors.
Concern for peace and the restoration of basic rights is omnipresent among the Syrian population. For many, returning to a normal life away from any conflict is their greatest wish. The urgent need to put an end to the past and build a new future is shared not only by Wadephul, but also by many other political actors around the world.
The fate of Syria is a reflection of the challenges facing the international community. What's next? The world looks curiously at the country that has been in the shadow of war for so long and wonders whether the path to peace can finally be paved.