U.S. plans phased reopening of embassy in Syria after 14 years

The Trump administration has notified Congress of its intention to begin planning for a phased reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria , which has remained closed since 2012 amid the country’s civil war.

According to a notice sent to congressional committees on February 10 , obtained by The Associated Press, the State Department intends to implement a phased approach to potentially resume embassy operations . Funding for the planning phase is expected to begin within 15 days, though no specific timeline has been provided for completion or the return of full-time U.S. personnel.

The move follows political shifts in Syria, including the ousting of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and the rise of a new administration led by Ahmad al-Sharaa , a former rebel commander who was part of opposition forces that fought Assad’s government during the civil war and later emerged as a key political figure in the post-Assad transition. The reopening initiative has been a key priority for Tom Barrack , the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, who has pushed for closer ties with Damascus, the lifting of U.S. sanctions, and Syria’s reintegration into regional and international communities.

Barrack previously visited Damascus in May 2025, where he raised the U.S. flag at the embassy compound , signaling renewed diplomatic engagement, although the embassy was not officially reopened at the time.

In his latest statement, Barrack praised Syria’s participation in the coalition combating the Islamic State , describing it as “a new chapter in collective security,” even as U.S. forces have withdrawn from a small base in southeastern Syria and tensions persist with the Kurdish population.

The State Department has declined to comment on the classified details of the reopening plans, though the phased strategy mirrors a similar approach being used to restore U.S. operations at the embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, where temporary staff operate from interim facilities.

As the administration moves forward, regional observers say the planned reopening could signal a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Syria , emphasizing diplomacy and engagement with the new government while maintaining caution in security matters.