Tom Barrack Appointed as U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Following Sanctions Relief Announcement

Tom Barrack, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and a former advisor to President Donald Trump, announced on Friday his new role as the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria. This appointment comes in light of a recent initiative to lift sanctions on Syria, a move that Barrack emphasized as crucial for the country’s recovery.

In a post shared on X, Barrack expressed his commitment to assisting Secretary of State Marco Rubio in achieving the President’s vision for Syria and the broader Middle East.

President Trump has articulated a vision for a thriving Middle East where Syria can stabilize and coexist peacefully with its neighbors, Barrack stated in his post.

Trump Proposes Abraham Accords for Syria in Exchange for Sanctions Relief

On May 13, President Trump made a significant pledge to remove American sanctions imposed on Syria, aiming to enable the new Syrian government to foster stability within its borders.

The history of U.S. sanctions against Syria dates back to 1979 when the nation was labeled a state sponsor of terrorism. Sanctions have remained in place for decades, complicating the political landscape in the region.

Barrack stated that the easing of sanctions will help achieve a primary objective: the enduring defeat of ISIS. He stressed that it would provide the Syrian population with an opportunity to rebuild following the ousting of the Bashar al-Assad regime by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham last year.

Biden Administration Recently Lifted Bounty on Leader of Islamist Group in Syria

Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which was designated a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and the U.N., broke away from al Qaeda in 2016. Its role in the ongoing conflict has been pivotal, leading to significant shifts in power dynamics in the region.

Currently, nearly 1,500 U.S. troops are stationed in Syria, actively engaged in the fight against ISIS. In addition, approximately 10,000 ISIS fighters are being held by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish militia supported by the U.S., as reported earlier by Fox News Digital.

U.S. Diplomats Return to Damascus After Over a Decade

Recently, U.S. diplomats arrived in Damascus for the first time in more than ten years, signaling a new chapter in U.S.-Syria relations following the significant changes brought on by the fall of the Assad regime.

Barrack noted that this collaborative effort, alongside regional allies such as Türkiye and Gulf nations, aims to empower the Syrian government in its quest to restore peace, security, and prosperity. He echoed President Trump’s sentiments, affirming that this collective approach will lead to success.

The landscape in Syria continues to evolve rapidly as international involvement intensifies amid ongoing humanitarian concerns. With the easing of sanctions, many observers are eager to see how this will impact the region’s stability and its capacity to recover from years of conflict.

This report reflects contributions from Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips and Caitlin McFall.