ECNETNews has confirmed that the first U.S. diplomatic visit to Syria since the ousting of President Bashar Assad earlier this month has commenced. A delegation, including key officials, is in Damascus to engage with Syria’s new leadership and gather information regarding the whereabouts of Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in the war-torn country.
The delegation comprises important figures such as the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and the chief envoy for hostage negotiations. This marks the first formal visit by American diplomats to Syria in over ten years, following the closure of the U.S. embassy in Damascus in 2012.
ECNETNews reports that the mission involves direct engagement with various segments of the Syrian populace, including civil society members, activists, and community representatives, to better understand their vision for Syria’s future and how U.S. support can be instrumental.
Among the top priorities is obtaining updates on Austin Tice, who has been missing since 2012. The U.S. plans to emphasize principles like inclusion, minority protection, and the rejection of terrorism and chemical weapons as vital for any potential support for a new Syrian government.
The U.S. government has intensified efforts to locate Tice, maintaining communication with rebel factions that played a role in the ousting of Assad. Previous outreach efforts have included missions to neighboring countries in pursuit of information.
Austin Tice disappeared near a checkpoint as the Syrian civil war escalated. A subsequent video showed Tice captive, blindfolded, and expressing distress, yet he has not been heard from since. Assad’s administration has denied any involvement in his abduction.
Notably, the group responsible for forcing Assad’s departure, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is recognized as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. While this designation imposes certain sanctions, it allows U.S. officials to engage in dialogue with the group’s members.
It remains unclear if HTS leadership will participate in discussions, although U.S. officials acknowledge some of their public stances on protecting minority and women’s rights. However, skepticism persists regarding their genuine commitment to these ideals.
Since 2012, the U.S. has lacked a formal diplomatic presence in Syria, despite maintaining a military presence to combat the Islamic State. Recently, the Pentagon announced an increase in troop numbers in Syria to deal with IS and concerns over a power vacuum following Assad’s fall.
This diplomatic mission does not signal the immediate reopening of the U.S. embassy in Damascus, which is currently safeguarded by the Czech government. Future decisions about diplomatic recognition will hinge on the new Syrian authorities’ actions and intentions.
