Reuters reported on Wednesday, May 21, that the United States intends to appoint its ambassador to Türkiye, Thomas Barak, as a special envoy to Syria.
The agency cited an informed source and a diplomat in Türkiye as saying that the move to name Barak, who is known for his close ties to President Donald Trump, as envoy to Syria follows Trump’s recent announcement of lifting sanctions on the country.
According to the source, “The decision refers to the United States’ acknowledgement that Türkiye has emerged as a major regional power with influence over Damascus, since the overthrow of the Assad regime.”
When asked for a comment, a spokesperson for the US State Department
told Reuters, “There is no announcement at the moment.”
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated during a Senate hearing on Tuesday that Washington would permit American diplomats based in Türkiye to travel to the Syrian capital, Damascus, to engage in discussions about the United States’ role going forward.
He added, “The success of the transitional administration in Syria will remove the spectre of civil war from the country,” arguing that Washington’s involvement could contribute to the administration’s success, and that without US engagement, the outcome could be the opposite.
On Tuesday, May 20, the United States and Türkiye reaffirmed their shared interest in Syria’s territorial unity and long-term stability, highlighting its importance for broader regional security.
A joint statement released following US-Turkish working group meetings in Washington said the two countries “share a common vision regarding a stable Syria, living in peace with itself and its neighbours.”
The statement continued, “The United States and Türkiye recognise the importance of preserving Syria’s territorial integrity. A stable and unified Syria will not serve as a haven for terrorist organisations and will help advance regional security and prosperity.”
Both sides emphasised their commitment to enhancing cooperation and coordination on Syria, as outlined by President Trump and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
The joint statement concluded by affirming that the stabilisation of Syria would also pave the way for millions of displaced Syrians and refugees to return to their homes.
