US Flag Returns to Damascus After 13 Years: Envoy's Visit Signals New Era

US Envoy Raises American Flag in Damascus After 13-Year Hiatus Damascus, Syria – In a significant development, US envoy Thomas Barak raised the American flag at the US ambassador's residence in the Syrian capital on May 29, 2025. This marked the first official US presence in Damascus since the embassy's closure in 2012, following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war. The event was witnessed by Syrian Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaibani. The flag-raising ceremony was captured on video by Al Arabiya news. The video shows Barak, alongside al-Shaibani and other officials, carefully raising the flag. In a statement to Al Arabiya, Barak emphasized the US commitment to supporting trade in Syria and to continuing efforts to combat ISIS. "The United States will work to help Syria overcome the effects of sanctions and to improve trade relations," he said. The reopening of the US embassy, although not explicitly stated in the video, is seen as a significant step towards normalizing relations between the two countries. The presence of the American flag is a powerful symbol of renewed engagement and a potential turning point in the long-standing conflict.