Syria has sent a written response to the United States regarding the conditions set for potential sanctions relief. The U.S. had outlined a list of eight conditions, including the destruction of chemical weapons and the removal of foreign fighters from key government positions. In its letter, Syria states that it has acted on many of these demands but requires “mutual understandings” with Washington to address others.
Syria Faces Economic Struggles Amid Sanctions
Syria’s economy has been severely affected by 14 years of civil war. The United States, along with the European Union and Britain, imposed harsh sanctions on the country during the conflict, aiming to pressure the government of Bashar al-Assad. Now, Syria is in urgent need of sanctions relief to recover economically.
In January, the U.S. granted a six-month exemption on certain sanctions to allow humanitarian aid to reach Syria. However, this has had limited impact. In exchange for full compliance with U.S. demands, Washington has suggested it could extend this suspension for two years, with the possibility of further exemptions.
Syria’s Written Response to U.S. Conditions
The U.S. delivered its list of demands to Syria in March, during a meeting between senior U.S. official Natasha Franceschi and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani at a donor conference in Brussels. The demands included the destruction of chemical weapons, as well as guarantees that foreign fighters would not hold senior positions in the government.
According to a four-page letter obtained by Reuters, Syria has made progress on some of these conditions. The letter mentions the establishment of a liaison office to search for missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice and efforts to manage its chemical weapons stockpiles, including closer collaboration with international arms watchdogs.
However, the letter is less clear on other key issues. It does not provide concrete steps for removing foreign fighters or granting the U.S. permission for counterterrorism strikes in Syria.
U.S. Response and Next Steps
The U.S. State Department confirmed that it had received Syria’s response. A spokesperson stated that Washington was evaluating the letter, but did not provide further details. The spokesperson reiterated that the U.S. does not recognize Syria’s government and that any normalization of relations would depend on future actions by Syria’s interim authorities.
Regarding foreign fighters, the Syrian letter acknowledged discussions with former U.S. envoy Daniel Rubinstein. It noted that military ranks had been suspended following a controversial appointment of foreign fighters, including Uyghurs, a Jordanian, and a Turk, to positions in Syria’s armed forces. However, the letter did not clarify whether these appointments had been reversed.
The issue of counterterrorism cooperation also remains unresolved. Syria’s response indicated that this matter required further discussions and “mutual understandings” between the two governments. Syria’s government has expressed its willingness to address terrorism but is cautious about granting permission for U.S. military actions in the country.
Syria’s Commitment to Regional Stability
Syria’s letter stressed its commitment to not allowing its territory to become a threat to other nations, including Israel. The document mentioned ongoing efforts to monitor Palestinian factions and stated that Syria would not tolerate armed groups outside state control. This statement comes after Syria detained two Palestinian officials from the Islamic Jihad militant group, signaling its intent to maintain control over armed groups within its borders.
Additionally, the letter mentioned that Syria is in communication with U.S. counterterrorism authorities in Amman, Jordan, to combat the Islamic State (ISIS). This collaboration, which had not been previously reported, indicates a willingness by Syria to expand cooperation with the U.S. on counterterrorism efforts.
Looking Ahead: Negotiations and Sanctions Relief
Syria hopes that the actions outlined in its letter will lead to further discussions on sanctions relief and normalization of relations. The letter indicated that Syria is ready to negotiate over reopening embassies and lifting sanctions, contingent on fulfilling the conditions set by the U.S.
The letter also referenced the need for broader consultations on the issue of foreign fighters and reiterated Syria’s stance on maintaining stability in the region. The document was sent on April 14, just days before Shibani’s scheduled address to the United Nations Security Council in New York.
Conclusion: An Ongoing Dialogue
As of now, it is unclear how the U.S. will respond to Syria’s letter. The situation remains fluid, with both sides continuing their dialogue. Experts suggest that while Syria has made some progress in addressing U.S. demands, key issues, such as foreign fighters and counterterrorism cooperation, will require further negotiations.
