More than three months after the ouster of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Germany on Thursday reopened its embassy in Damascus, Deutsche Welle reported. 

The embassy, which was closed in 2012 amid Syria's civil war, was officially reopened by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is visiting Syria for the second time since Assad's ouster.

According to Baerbock, 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.

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

Germany is home to more than a million Syrians, many of whom fled their homeland during the bloody civil war, the media outlet said.