From: Shafaq News January 3, 2025
No handshake for Female German FM from HTS

Video footage showed Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbockher hosts did not shake her hand, opting for verbal greetings and smiles, while they shook hands with the other men in the delegation.

The same scenario occurred with Al-Sharaa when he greeted Baerbock at the People's Palace in Damascus.
He waved and smiled at her but shook hands with her French counterpart.

Criticism emerged, accusing the new Syrian administration officials of disregarding global political handshake protocols, with some suggesting they were attempting to steer the country towards a model similar to "Taliban-ruled Afghanistan."