US-Syria

White House confirms historic Trump-al-Sharaa meeting

President Trump will host Syrian President next Monday in a historic White House visit, signaling a potential thaw in US-Syria ties amid efforts to rebuild and counter ISIS.

May join anti-ISIS coalition

Syrian President to visit Washington for first time

Syrian President Sharaa will visit Washington for the first time. The US hopes Syria will join the anti-ISIS coalition and finalize a security deal with Israel to halt airstrikes and withdraw troops.

Trump meets Syrian President Sharaa at UN

President Trump meets Syrian President Sharaa at the UN, marking their second meeting since May. The encounter follows the US lifting sanctions on Syria.

US Treasury revokes sanctions on Syrian government

US Treasury officially revokes sanctions on the Syrian government, following a June 30 executive order from President Trump that removed the measures.

Major shift:

US revokes terror designation from Syria’s HTS

Trump administration revokes Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's terror designation, following the decision to lift Syria sanctions in order to aid its reconstruction after HTS ousted Assad.

First time since 2012:

US envoy opens ambassador’s residence in Damascus

Envoy Tom Barrack raises US flag in Damascus, urges Syria-Israel non-aggression pact and border agreement

New Syria gov't pledges help on missing US citizens

Syria's new authorities commit to assisting the United States in locating and repatriating missing American citizens or their remains, a significant development following the lifting of US sanctions.

'Show us something special'

Trump lifts sanctions on Syria

US President Trump announces the lifting of US sanctions on Syria following the Assad regime’s fall, calling it “a chance at greatness” for the war-torn country.

Amid reconstruction

Trump open to lifting Syria sanctions

US President Donald Trump says he is considering lifting sanctions on Syria to support the country's post-civil war reconstruction. Syria's foreign ministry welcomes the move as a step toward peace and prosperity.

US:

'Violence against Syria’s Druze is unacceptable'

The US slams attacks on Syria’s Druze community, urging interim authorities to halt violence, punish perpetrators, and protect minorities.

Report:

US sets demands for Syria to gain sanctions relief

Reuters reports that the US has presented Syria with a set of conditions for partial sanctions relief.

Biden to leave decision on Syria sanctions to Trump

US officials say the Biden administration is expected to leave the decision on lifting sanctions against Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader to the incoming Trump administration.

US eases some sanctions on Syria

US issues six-month general license allowing specific transactions with the Syrian government, including certain energy sales and related activities, to facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid to the country.

US lifts bounty on leader of Syrian rebels

Top US diplomat for the Middle East meets Syria's de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, tells him that Washington would no longer pursue a reward for his arrest.

Amid fight against ISIS

Pentagon acknowledges doubling US forces in Syria

Pentagon press secretary acknowledges the US has quietly more than doubled its troop presence in Syria to combat ISIS. Approximately 2,000 US forces are now stationed there.

Blinken confirms:

'We’ve been in contact with Syrian rebel group HTS'

Secretary of State confirms the US has engaged in direct communication with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Syrian rebel group now holding de-facto control of the country and which was designated a terrorist organization by Washington.

Blinken:

'We will support Syrian government that renounces terrorism'

Secretary of State says US committed to recognizing and supporting a new Syrian government that rejects terrorism, eliminates chemical weapons stockpiles, and safeguards the rights of minorities and women.

US envoy seeking info on missing journalist Austin Tice

Roger Carstens, US special envoy for hostage affairs, arrives in Beirut to intensify efforts to locate Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012.

US official:

'We're monitoring the status of Syria's chemical weapons'

After collapse of Assad regime, senior US official says the White House is focusing on the next steps in Syria, which include engaging with local groups, consulting regional leaders, and continuing efforts to combat ISIS.

Assad regime collapse:

FBI still offering reward for info on journalist Austin Tice

FBI offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading to the safe return of American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012.

US National Security Adviser:

'We have no intention of intervening militarily in Syria'

As Syrian rebels take over Damascus, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stresses the United States has no intention of intervening militarily in Syria’s civil war, but will continue taking necessary actions to prevent ISIS from capitalizing on the instability.

Russia:

'US-led coalition's jet came close to our plane in Syria'

Russia says a coalition F/A-18 fighter-bomber came into "dangerous contact" with an An-30 aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Homs region of Syria.

Assad:

'We've held meetings from time to time with Washington'

Syrian President reveals his country has held meetings "from time to time" with Washington, as it seeks openings after over a decade of isolation.

Third time in recent weeks:

US military strikes targets affiliated with Iran in Syria

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says US military struck training facility and safe house used by IRGC and Iran-affiliated groups in Syria.

On Biden's orders:

US Military strikes facilities in Syria used by Iran

Pentagon announces that President Biden ordered strikes on two facilities in Syria used by IRGC and groups supported by Tehran.

Bipartisan US bill would prevent normalization with Syria

Bipartisan group of US lawmakers introduce bill intended to prevent recognition of Bashar Al-Assad and enhance ability to impose sanctions.

Blinken:

'US extensively engaged on case of missing journalist'

US Secretary of State says US is extensively engaged on the case Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012.

Biden:

'US strikes in Syria meant to protect American personnel'

Biden tells Pelosi that air strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria were carried out to disrupt attacks against US and partners.

State Department:

Assad's family likely worth $1-2 billion

State Department says Syrian President's family worth $1-2 billion, despite US-led efforts to isolate Assad.

Blinken: US doesn't support efforts to normalize ties with Syria

Secretary of State: There will be no efforts to normalize relations with Assad until there is progress in the political process.

White House: Biden will act to protect Americans

White House spokeswoman says US air strikes in Syria are meant to send message that Biden will act to protect Americans.

US sanctions Assad's wife

US sanctions Syria’s central bank and several people and entities close to President Bashar Al-Assad.

White House official held secret meetings with Syrian government

Trump administration official confirms White House official spoke with Syrian government about two US citizens thought to be held there.

Trump: There was a plan to take out Assad, but Mattis refused

US President confirms plan was in the works to take out Syrian President but then-Defense Secretary was opposed.

Pentagon: ISIS used US withdrawal to regroup

New Pentagon report finds that ISIS has strengthened its abilities and has recovered from elimination of its leader.

US to leave around 500-600 troops in northern Syria

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says US troop levels in northern Syria will probably stabilize around 500.

US to send armored reinforcements into eastern Syria

Defense Secretary says US will send armored reinforcements against potential ISIS on oil fields in Syria.

US to send additional assets to protect Syrian oil fields

US to beef up presence in northeastern Syria to protect oil fields from being retaken by ISIS.

Graham: Pentagon preparing plan to contain ISIS

Republican Senator says US military leaders preparing a plan that could keep ISIS fighters from regaining a foothold in Syria.

McConnell introduces resolution against Trump's Syria withdrawal

Senate Majority Leader, other top Republican senators, warn Trump's withdrawal from Syria benefits Assad, ISIS, Russia and Iran.

Graham changes stance on Syria

South Carolina Senator: I am increasingly optimistic that we can have some historic solutions in Syria.

US troops withdrawing from Syria expected to move to Iraq

US Defense Secretary says troops withdrawing from northern Syria are expected to move to western Iraq to continue fight against ISIS.

At debate, Democratic candidates blast Trump over Syria

Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Think about our other allies, Israel. How do they feel right now?

US says up to 1,000 troops to withdraw from Syria

Pentagon announces Trump has ordered the withdrawal of up to 1,000 troops from northern Syria.

Graham: Could not agree with Netanyahu more

US Senator urges Trump to reverse his decision to withdraw troops from Syria after Turkey launches operation against Kurds.

US threatens to 'penalize' Turkey over inhumane acts

State Department official: US will take penalizing action against Turkey if it engages in “inhumane and disproportionate” moves in Syria.

Trump: We have not abandoned the Kurds

Trump defends decision to pull troops from northern Syria, but stresses US is not abandoning the local Kurds.

Graham: Syria withdrawal will be a 'nightmare' for Israel

South Carolina Senator warns against Trump’s sudden decision to pull back US troops from northern Syria.

Senate Majority Leader warns against Syria withdrawal

Senator Mitch McConnell says pulling US forces out of Syria "would only benefit Russia, Iran, and the Assad regime."

US: Signs that Syrian gov't is using chemical weapons

State Department says there are signs that Syrian government may be using chemical weapons, warns of response.

Congress members urge Trump: Safeguard Israel’s interests

Nearly 400 members of Congress sign letter calling on Trump to safeguard Israel’s interests with Syria’s civil war coming to an end.

Trump: US to leave 400 troops in Syria

US President says 400 troops will remain in Syria, including 200 near border with Israel, but says his strategy is unchanged.

US to leave small group of peacekeepers in Syria

White House says US will leave some 200 American troops in Syria for a period of time after pullout.

Assad warns Kurds: The US won't protect you

Syrian President warns country’s Kurds that the US would not protect them against any Turkish offensive.

Russia, Turkey and Iran hail US withdrawal from Syria

Putin, Erdogan and Rouhani say US withdrawal from Syria is a positive step that would help stabilize the situation.

US withdrawal from Syria 'weeks away', says top general

Head of US military’s Central Command says start of withdrawal of ground troops from Syria is likely just weeks away.

Report: US to remove all forces from Syria by April

Officials tell the Wall Street Journal the US military is preparing to pull all American forces out of Syria by the end of April.

Ex-envoy blasts Trump: He has 'no plan'

Brett McGurk, former US special envoy for anti-ISIS coalition, says Trump has "no plan" for what comes after forces withdraw from Syria.

Trump: We'll 'devastate' Turkey's economy if they attack Kurds

US President warns Turkey against harming Kurds after US pullout from Syria.

Pompeo: Withdrawal from Syria only a 'tactical change'

US Secretary of State says withdrawal from Syria won't alter US military capacity to combat ISIS or Iran.