The United States State Department has abruptly dismissed several senior diplomats specializing in Syrian affairs, according to Reuters reports Thursday, marking a significant reorganization of America's diplomatic approach to the war-torn nation even as high-level engagement with Syria's new leadership continues.
The affected diplomats were assigned to the Syria Special Regional Platform, the de facto U.S. mission to Syria operating from Istanbul, and reported directly to U.S. Special Envoy Thomas Barrack. A U.S. diplomatic source told Reuters that staff members were informed their assignments had ended as part of an internal reorganization, with the departures taking effect at the end of last week.
While the State Department declined to comment on specific personnel decisions, a spokesperson told Reuters that "the core team working on Syria-related issues continues its operations from multiple locations." The source stressed that the dismissals would not alter Washington's policy toward Syria.
According to the international media, diplomatic sources confirmed the move was neither linked to political disputes with Barack nor tensions with the White House. However, they characterized the decision as sudden and involuntary. A Western diplomat suggested the dismissals partly stemmed from "differences in viewpoints" between the platform's staff and Barrack regarding negotiations between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syria's interim authorities.
The shake-up comes at a critical juncture in U.S.-Syria relations. Just days before the dismissals, on Friday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that a high-level American delegation had visited Damascus to discuss counterterrorism cooperation with interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.
Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command, and Special Envoy Thomas Barrack held direct talks with al-Sharaa in the Syrian capital, according to a CENTCOM statement published on Facebook. The American officials thanked al-Sharaa for his support in countering ISIS in Syria, emphasizing that eliminating the terrorist group would reduce the risk of future attacks on U.S. soil.
The delegation reaffirmed its commitment to President Donald Trump's vision of "a prosperous Middle East and a stable Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors," CENTCOM stated. The statement also highlighted U.S. appreciation for Damascus' role in securing the release of American citizens from Syria and for its cooperation in initiatives aligned with U.S. goals, including negotiations to integrate Syrian armed factions into the national army under interim authorities.
Both sides agreed to continue coordination and hold future meetings to ensure sustained focus on defeating ISIS, signaling ongoing engagement despite the diplomatic reorganization.
The timing of the personnel changes raises questions about the coherence of U.S. Syria policy as Washington navigates complex relationships with various Syrian factions while maintaining its counterterrorism priorities. The Syria Special Regional Platform has been instrumental in managing U.S. interests in Syria since the closure of the American embassy in Damascus in 2012.