Syrian Opposition Leader's Berlin Visit Draws Protests

Syria's interim president will visit Berlin next week, meeting with German political leaders. The visit by Ahmed al-Sharaa is already facing strong criticism. Kurdish and Alawite groups in Germany plan to protest the visit. They accuse al-Sharaa's Syrian National Coalition of not representing all Syrians. The groups say it marginalizes their communities. Al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet with Friedrich Merz, head of Germany's Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party. The German government recognizes the coalition as a legitimate political representative of the Syrian opposition. The visit aims to discuss the ongoing situation in Syria. Critics argue the meeting gives legitimacy to a group they call unrepresentative.