Syria’s new government has promised to help the United States locate and recover its missing citizens. On Sunday, US envoy Tom Barrack shared this development. Notably, this shows signs of improving relations between both countries.
US Sanctions Eased Before Announcement
Interestingly, the announcement came just one day after the US officially eased long-standing sanctions on Syria. These sanctions had been in place for more than a decade. Since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December, ties between the nations have slowly improved.
US Envoy Praises the Move
Barrack described the pledge on X. He wrote, “The new Syrian government has agreed to assist the USA in locating and returning USA citizens or their remains.”
He continued, “The families of Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz, and Kayla Mueller must have closure.”
Timeline of the Missing Americans
To explain, Austin Tice was kidnapped in August 2012. He was stopped at a checkpoint while reporting for news outlets like The Washington Post and AFP.
Meanwhile, Majd Kamalmaz, a Syrian-American psychologist, was arrested in 2017. He likely died while in custody under the Assad regime.
As for Kayla Mueller, she was an aid worker kidnapped by ISIS. The group claimed she died in a Jordanian airstrike in 2015. However, US officials disputed that claim.
Trump’s Policy Emphasizes Recovery
Furthermore, Barrack—who is also the US ambassador to Turkey—highlighted President Trump’s focus on such cases. He stated, “President (Donald) Trump has made it clear that bringing home USA citizens or honoring, with dignity, their remains is a major priority everywhere.”
He added, “The new Syrian Government will aid us in this commitment.”
Qatar Joins the Search
Additionally, a Syrian source told AFP that the US gave a list of 11 more names, all Syrian-Americans. At the US’s request, a Qatari team began searching this month for the remains of American hostages killed by ISIS.
According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the Qatari delegation is still searching in Aleppo province.
IS Executed Several Americans
Earlier, ISIS carried out public executions of Americans. In 2014, the group released videos showing the beheadings of journalists James Foley and Stephen Sotloff. The killer spoke with a British accent.
Later, in 2022, a US court found London-born jihadist El Shafee Elsheikh guilty. He had helped kidnap and kill Foley, Sotloff, Kayla Mueller, and aid worker Peter Kassig.
Syrian Government Restructures
Meanwhile, Syria also reshuffled its interior ministry. The changes aim to combat cross-border drug and people smuggling. As a result, Syria hopes to strengthen ties with Western nations.
US Sanctions Relief Comes With Conditions
According to the US Treasury Department, the sanctions relief applies only if Syria meets certain conditions. The country must not provide safe havens for terrorist groups. Also, it must protect religious and ethnic minorities.
On Saturday, Syria’s foreign ministry welcomed the move. It called it “a positive step in the right direction to reduce humanitarian and economic struggles in the country.”
Trump Meets New Syrian Leader
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump met Syria’s interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia. They shook hands during Trump’s visit. Sharaa, once a jihadist fighter, now leads Syria’s transitional government.