Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Five wounded in shooting-ramming operation near Tunnel checkpoint south of al-Quds.
Israeli media report a number of Israelis wounded in shooting-ramming operation south of Al-Quds
Venezuelan President's "external unrest" decree a constitutional response activated when the country is faced with external threats
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro signs decree announcing state of "external unrest"
Al-Nakhalah: The US-Israeli announcement is a recipe for igniting the region
Al-Nakhalah: The US-Israeli agreement is a recipe for continued aggression against the Palestinian people
PIJ Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah: What Trump and Netanyahu announced is an American-Israeli agreement and reflects 'Israel’s' position in full
Al-Farah: Trump’s plan aims to absorb global outrage against 'Israel' and to undermine international solidarity with Palestine
Mohammed al-Farah, member of Ansar Allah’s Political Bureau: Trump’s plan is unworkable and aims to corner Hamas and shift the blame to the movement
Trump: If accepted by Hamas, the proposal calls for the release of all 'hostages'

US flag raised in Damascus as envoy declares new chapter in Syria ties

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 May 2025 18:55
3 Min Read

This visit marks the first senior-level US engagement on Syrian soil since the outbreak of the crisis, which led to the closure of the US embassy and the withdrawal of then-Ambassador Robert Ford.

Listen
  • x
  • (X, @OmarEdlbi)
    US Special Envoy Tom Barrack is pictured hoisting the American flag over the US ambassador's residence in Damascus, Syria (SANA)

US Special Envoy Tom Barrack arrived in Damascus on Thursday, where he was received by Syrian interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa at the Presidential Palace. During the visit, Barrack raised the American flag over the US ambassador's residence, a symbolic restoration of American diplomatic presence in Syria for the first time since 2012.

This visit marks the first senior-level US engagement on Syrian soil since the outbreak of the crisis, which led to the closure of the US embassy and the withdrawal of then-Ambassador Robert Ford. Since then, US policy on Syria has been conducted from abroad.

Speaking to reporters, Barrack signaled a new American approach rooted in diplomacy, not intervention. "Syria and Israel is a solvable problem. But it starts with a dialogue," he said. "I'd say we need to start with just a non-aggression agreement, talk about boundaries and borders."

He also revealed that President Donald Trump intends to remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, as part of a broader recalibration of US policy. "The Trump administration's intent is to give Syria a chance at success by not intervening," Barrack said.

US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack is joined by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani as he raises the American flag in the ambassador's residence in Damascus.

📸: SANA pic.twitter.com/s0Pu27hSD0

, Rudaw English (@RudawEnglish) May 29, 2025

Fragile Rebirth

Related News

Egypt, Turkey conclude joint naval exercise Sea Friendship 2025

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

The announcement comes on the heels of the United States lifting its sanctions on Syria, a move intended to foster reconstruction and support the country's political transition after the fall of the Assad government. Barrack added: "The US military brilliantly accomplished 99 percent of anti-ISIS mission in Syria."

Yet, despite the overtures of peace and normalization, reports of ongoing violence persist, particularly targeting vulnerable groups such as Alawites, Christians, and Druze. In recent months, rights groups have documented massacres and forced displacements in contested regions, casting doubt on the stability of the current transitional period.

Interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, a former Al-Qaeda leader, has pledged to steer the country toward inclusive governance, but the fragile security situation suggests that any talk of renewal must grapple with these on-the-ground realities.

Read more: 1,018 killed in ongoing massacres against minorities in Syria's coast

In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Barrack wrote: "Syria's tragedy was born in division. Its rebirth must come through dignity, unity, and investment in its people."

"That starts with truth, accountability, and working with the region, not around it," he added. 

"With the fall of the Assad regime, the door is open to peace, by eliminating sanctions we are enabling the Syrian people to finally open that door and discover a path to renewed prosperity and security," further said.

A century ago, the West imposed maps, mandates, penciled borders, and foreign rule. Sykes-Picot divided Syria and the broader region for imperial gain, not peace. That mistake cost generations. We will not make it again.

The era of Western interference is over. The future…

, Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) May 25, 2025

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Ahmad al-Sharaa
  • Thomas Barrack
  • HTS

Most Read

Iran exposes Israeli nuclear projects in major security breach

Iran exposes Israeli nuclear projects in major security breach

  • Politics
  • 24 Sep 2025
Last photo showing Martyr Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and Martyr Hajj Hassan in a Resistance operations room, Beirut's southern suburb, Lebanon, days before their martyrdom (Al Mayadeen)

In heart of battle: Al Mayadeen shares last photo of Sayyed Nasrallah

  • Politics
  • 27 Sep 2025
27 wounded in Eilat drone explosion amid failed interception

27 wounded Israelis in Eilat drone explosion amid failed interception

  • Politics
  • 24 Sep 2025
Hamas fighters stand in formation ahead of a ceremony to hand over Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, Gaza Strip, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP)

Hamas reviews Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan as PIJ rejects

  • Palestine
  • 30 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?
MENA

Iraq at a crossroads: A new war front?

A general view of the exterior of the International Criminal Court at The Hague, Netherlands, March 12, 2025 (AP)
Politics

ICC seeks to replace US IT providers amid sanctions threat: Report

"Israel" supporters react following the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and "Israel" at the Sea de de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP)
Sports

UEFA delays vote to suspend 'Israel' after US introduces Gaza deal

Ships that are part of the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza are anchored off the coast of of Sidi Bou Saïd in Tunis, Tunisia, Tuesday, September 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Anis Mili)
Politics

Global Sumud Flotilla accuses Italy of sabotage, vows to sail on

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS