Istanbul, Turkey — The United States’ special envoy to Syria met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Saturday, praising his recent efforts to address the issue of foreign fighters and improve relations with Israel.
Thomas Barrack, who serves as both the special envoy to Syria and the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye, issued a statement highlighting the progress made during their meeting in Istanbul. He noted that President Sharaa has been “taking meaningful steps” to curb the influence of foreign combatants within Syria’s borders.
“President Sharaa’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by foreign fighters is a significant move towards stabilizing the region,” Barrack said. “We also discussed the importance of fostering better relations with neighboring countries, including Israel, to ensure long-term peace and security.”
The discussions signal a potential shift in diplomatic relations in the Middle East, as Syria’s government appears to be taking active measures to engage with the international community. Analysts believe that these developments could pave the way for renewed peace talks and cooperation on security matters.
The meeting in Istanbul marks a noteworthy moment in U.S.-Syria relations, with both nations expressing a willingness to work together on confronting regional threats. Observers are cautiously optimistic that these steps could lead to a de-escalation of tensions and a more collaborative approach to Middle Eastern diplomacy.
No further details were provided about the specific actions Syria plans to take, but officials from both countries indicated that ongoing dialogue is expected in the coming weeks.
