Middle East & North Africa
Tom Barrack in Damascus: meeting with al-Sharaa and al-Shaibani – “Syria’s destiny touches every side of the Middle East’s Rubik’s Cube”
US special envoy Tom Barrack met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Damascus. The same day Erdogan said peace is taking root in Syria “despite Israel’s heavy provocations”.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa received Tom Barrack, the US special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq, at the People’s Palace in Damascus on Wednesday, October 21. Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani also took part in the meeting, according to the Syrian Presidency.
The two sides discussed developments in Syria and the wider region, as well as coordination on issues of common interest, the state news agency SANA reported. According to the statement, cooperation to strengthen security and stability “for the benefit of the interests of both countries” was also considered.
Barrack himself wrote on X that he had a “productive meeting” with al-Sharaa and al-Shaibani on joint efforts for regional stability. “Syria plays a decisive role in securing a lasting peace. Its destiny touches every side of the Middle East’s Rubik’s Cube. Aligning shared interests is how we advance President Trump’s vision for a secure and prosperous region,” noted the American diplomat, who is also US ambassador to Ankara.
The visit took place on the same day that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke about Syria to his party’s parliamentary group. Erdogan said peace and stability are taking root again in Syria under al-Sharaa’s leadership “despite Israel’s heavy provocations” and that Turkey will continue to stand by Syria at every stage that is needed. He added that once the integration process in the north is completed “a brand-new page will open” for the country, and that for those who “shed the blood of 248 innocents in Baniyas and 53 of our people in Reyhanlı” the time of accountability has come. Asked by journalists whether a date has been set for his visit to Damascus, he answered: “Not yet. We will do it,” according to the Turkish Presidency.
The new Syrian leadership faces pressure at home at the same time, including drone attacks in Sweida, and tension with Israel in the south. Washington has an active diplomatic role in Syria, with Barrack as Damascus’ main interlocutor.
