More than three months after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, Germany reopened its embassy in Damascus on Thursday.

The embassy, which was closed in 2012 amid the Syrian civil war, was officially reopened by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who was visiting Syria for the second time since the collapse of the Assad regime.

A small number of German diplomats will resume their activities in Damascus, but consular work, such as issuing visas, will continue in Beirut in neighboring Lebanon, according to Baerbock.

The move marks a significant step in the restoration of relations between Berlin and the leadership in Damascus, which is facing humanitarian and security problems as it tries to rebuild the country after the fall of Assad.

More than 1 million Syrians, many of whom fled their homeland during the bloody civil war, live in Germany.

What else did Baerbock do in Syria?

Baerbock also met Syria's interim leaders. She said they must bring under control and hold accountable the extremist groups behind sectarian massacres committed this month.

"It is imperative that extremist groups are brought under control and those responsible for crimes are held accountable," she said after talks in Damascus with interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. "Any attempt at renewed escalation must be prevented."

Baerbock was also scheduled to meet with representatives of civil society organizations.

Her visit to Damascus came just two weeks after violent clashes between Assad loyalists and new government forces in northwestern Syria left hundreds dead.

More than 1,500 people have been killed in the violence, most of them civilians and members of the Alawite religious minority to which Assad belongs, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a London-based monitor.

Speaking from Beirut before her flight to Syria, Baerbock condemned the "targeted killing of civilians," describing it as a "terrible crime" that had caused considerable damage to trust.

She called on the transitional government to "control the actions of the groups within its own ranks and hold those responsible accountable."

Bearbock reiterates Germany's support for Syria

Baerbock reaffirmed Germany's commitment to continue providing humanitarian aid to Syria and signaled a possible easing of sanctions under certain conditions.

"A new political beginning between Europe and Syria, between Germany and Syria, is possible," Baerbock said.

She added that this would require clear commitments to ensure freedom, security and equal opportunities for all Syrians, regardless of gender, ethnicity or religion.

Germany on Monday announced €300 million ($325 million) in reconstruction aid for Syria as part of a donor conference that raised a total of €5.8 billion in pledges.

Among other members of the European Union, Italy reopened its embassy in Syria last year before Assad fell, and Spain reopened its embassy after he fell.

Edited by: Louis Oelofse