US Diplomatic Delegation Visits Syria to Engage New Islamist-Led Government
DAMASCUS – A high-level delegation of US diplomats has arrived in Syria for direct talks with the newly established Islamist-led government, marking the first formal US diplomatic mission to Damascus since the Syrian civil war erupted in 2011.
The visit comes shortly after the dramatic fall of President Bashar al-Assad, following a swift offensive by opposition forces earlier this month.
Delegation’s Objectives
The US delegation includes Barbara Leaf, a senior State Department official for Middle Eastern affairs; Daniel Rubinstein, a seasoned Arab affairs diplomat; and Roger Carstens, the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs. Their mission aims to explore Syria’s future under its new leadership and gather information on missing Americans, including journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in 2012.
Engagement with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)
The delegation will hold talks with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group now governing Syria, despite its classification as a terrorist organization by the US. Leaders of HTS, including Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Jolani), have pledged to foster unity, protect minorities, and dissolve remaining rebel factions.
US officials will also meet with civil society groups, activists, and minority community representatives to gauge perspectives on rebuilding the war-torn nation. The State Department emphasized the US’s goal of supporting an inclusive, non-sectarian government that upholds the rights of all Syrians.
Read More: Saudi Arabia to re-establish relations with Syria, sources.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed cautious optimism but remained skeptical of Jolani’s intentions. “There are no guarantees,” Blinken said. “Without engagement, the risk of repeating past cycles of authoritarianism remains high.”
Global and Regional Reactions
The US visit aligns with a joint statement by Western and Arab nations, alongside Turkey, urging the formation of a representative Syrian government.
France and Germany have already restored diplomatic ties with Damascus. France reopened its embassy in the Syrian capital for the first time since 2012. The US, however, still operates through the Czech Republic in Syria.
Challenges and President-elect Trump’s Stance
As Syria grapples with rebuilding after years of war, international attention remains divided. President-elect Donald Trump has signaled hesitancy toward deeper US involvement in Syria, describing Assad’s fall as an “unfriendly takeover” influenced by Turkey, which backs HTS while opposing US ties with Kurdish groups.
Syria now faces the monumental task of addressing displacement, rebuilding infrastructure, and establishing governance under its new leadership, while global powers debate the extent of their involvement in shaping the country’s future.
