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2d ago

U.S. Envoy Raises Flag in Damascus, Signs $7B Energy Deal with Syria

It follows the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria in early May, offering a critical lifeline to the war-torn nation.

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Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani stands next to U.S. envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack as he raises the American flag at U.S. ambassador's residency in Damascus, Syria May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Firas Makdesi
Tom Barrack during a hearing in Washington on April 1, 2025.

Overview

  • Thomas Barrack, appointed U.S. special envoy to Syria on May 23, raised the American flag over the Damascus ambassador’s residence on May 29 for the first time since the 2012 embassy closure.
  • The U.S. lifted sanctions earlier this month after President Trump met interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh as part of efforts to rebuild ties.
  • The flag-raising at the reopened ambassador’s residence signaled the restoration of a U.S. diplomatic presence in Damascus.
  • Syria inked a $7 billion agreement with Qatari, U.S. and Turkish companies on May 29 to generate up to 5,000 megawatts of electricity for reconstruction.
  • Barrack called for a non-aggression agreement with Israel as indirect, UAE-mediated talks aim to stabilize the long-contested border.