US Flag's Return to Damascus Signals Warming Ties with Syria

US Flag Returns to Damascus: A Symbol of Warming Ties with Syria For the first time since 2012, the US flag has been raised at the ambassador's residence in Damascus. This symbolic act marks a significant development in the evolving relationship between the United States and Syria's new government. The flag-raising ceremony was presided over by Tom Barack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and newly appointed Special Envoy to Syria. While the US embassy remains officially closed, the return of the flag is a powerful visual representation of a potential shift in diplomatic relations. The move comes after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Syria's interim President Ahmad Al Shara in Riyadh, where discussions focused on easing sanctions and improving ties. "This is a significant step forward," said a source close to the Syrian government, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It shows a willingness on both sides to move beyond the past and build a more constructive relationship." The flag's return, however, does not mean a full restoration of diplomatic relations. The US embassy in Damascus remains closed, a consequence of the Syrian civil war that began in 2012. Nevertheless, the symbolic gesture conveys a message of hope and potential for future cooperation between the two nations. The event has been met with cautious optimism by many international observers.