Diplomatic Shake-Up: U.S. Syria Mission Sees Key Departures
Several senior U.S. diplomats stationed at the de facto mission to Syria in Istanbul have been abruptly removed from their positions. The shake-up, associated with regional policy shifts under U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack, aims to integrate Syrian Kurdish allies with the central administration in Damascus.
In a surprising move, top U.S. diplomats at the Syria Regional Platform (SRP), located in Istanbul, have been dismissed from their posts, according to insiders. This change aligns with a broader policy shift orchestrated by U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack, as the U.S. seeks to support a unified Syrian state under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The decision to let go of "a handful" of diplomats, who reported directly to Barrack, is seen as a strategic reorganization, not due to policy disagreements. The State Department maintains that these personnel changes will not impact U.S. strategies in Syria, as core staff continue their work from various locations.
Despite Barrack pushing for the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate with Syria's national forces, resistance remains. Some SDF leaders prefer autonomy, reflecting the political complexities in Syria. Barrack remains proactive, recently overseeing initiatives to resolve ethnic disputes in southern Syria.
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