US Envoy commends Syria's al-Sharaa for 'Israel' ties in Istanbul
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US envoy Thomas Barrack meets Syrian Interim President al-Sharaa in Istanbul, praises steps on foreign fighters and “Israel” ties amid shifting regional dynamics.
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Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following their meeting at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP)
US President Donald Trump's special envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, held a meeting on Saturday with Syrian Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Istanbul, marking a rare direct diplomatic interaction between Washington and Damascus in recent years.
In a statement issued following the talks, Barrack, who also serves as the current US ambassador to Turkiye, said he "commended President al-Sharaa for taking meaningful steps regarding the issue of foreign fighters and relations with Israel."
The meeting was held separately from a high-level Turkish-Syrian summit occurring the same day, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also hosted al-Sharaa at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul. Both engagements highlight renewed international attention on Syria’s transitional leadership and the shifting dynamics of regional diplomacy.
US formally lifts sanctions on Syria, aiming for reconstruction
The United States on Friday lifted comprehensive economic sanctions on Syria, opening the door for foreign investment and reconstruction efforts following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government.
The move formalizes a decision previously announced by US President Donald Trump during a regional tour that included meetings with Turkish and Saudi leaders. Trump described the sanctions as "brutal and crippling," and said their removal was in response to demands from regional partners seeking stability and reconstruction in post-war Syria.
“Syria must continue to work towards becoming a stable country that is at peace, and today’s actions will hopefully put the country on a path to a bright, prosperous, and stable future,” said US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a statement.
Conditions and cautions
According to the US Treasury, the relief is contingent upon Syria preventing the use of its territory as "safe haven for terrorist organizations" and ensuring protections for ethnic and religious minorities.
Although the Trump administration’s decision has received cautious praise from some Western analysts and Arab governments, others have raised concerns over the speed of reintegration and the risks of premature economic normalization.
Still, proponents argue that reconstruction is critical to regional stability and that continued sanctions would only prolong humanitarian suffering.
Read more: Syria presented belongings of spy Eli Cohen to 'Israel': Reuters
