Syria to Assist U.S. in Search for Missing Americans, Says U.S. Envoy
“President Trump has made it clear that bringing home USA citizens or honoring, with dignity, their remains is a major priority everywhere. The new Syrian Government will aid us in this commitment,” he wrote.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Syria’s new authorities have agreed to assist the United States in locating and returning American citizens who disappeared during the country’s civil war, U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack announced on Sunday.
In a series of posts on X, Barrack revealed that the Syrian government has committed to aiding U.S. efforts to find missing Americans or recover their remains. Among those believed to be missing in Syria are journalist Austin Tice, psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz, and humanitarian worker Kayla Mueller.
“A powerful step forward. The new Syrian government has agreed to assist the USA in locating and returning USA citizens or their remains,” Barrack wrote. “The families of Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz, and Kayla Mueller must have closure.”
Barrack credited U.S. President Donald Trump for prioritizing the return of missing Americans.
“President Trump has made it clear that bringing home USA citizens or honoring, with dignity, their remains is a major priority everywhere. The new Syrian Government will aid us in this commitment,” he wrote.
The envoy also praised U.S. Representative Abraham Hamadeh for his dedication to Mueller’s legacy, noting that Hamadeh took his oath of office on the Mueller family's Bible. He expressed optimism that renewed engagement with Damascus could finally lead to answers.
“Congressman Abraham Hamadeh has consistently championed justice for Kayla Mueller,” Barrack stated. “He and the Mueller family will finally find a cooperative Syrian government counterpart to bring truth and closure.”
Barrack said the diplomatic breakthrough came after a “historic foundational meeting” between U.S. officials and the newly installed Syrian leadership, a meeting reportedly hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
“In the aftermath of the historic foundational meeting between the U.S. Government and the new Syrian government—hosted by President Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Fidan—Syria is now OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Thank you, President Trump!!!” Barrack declared.
A powerful step forward. The new Syrian government has agreed to assist the USA in locating and returning USA citizens or their remains. The families of Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz, and Kayla Mueller must have closure.
— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) May 25, 2025
The renewed cooperation follows a rare high-level meeting between U.S. envoy Tom Barrack and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Istanbul on Saturday—marking the first official contact since Washington eased select sanctions on Syria, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Barrack, who recently took on the Syria portfolio after serving as U.S. ambassador to Turkey, emphasized continued American support for the Syrian people. “I reiterated the United States' support for the Syrian people after so many years of conflict and violence,” he said following the talks.
The remarks suggest a significant shift in U.S.-Syria relations, long strained by years of conflict, sanctions, and the Assad regime's human rights record.
Syria to Assist U.S. in Search for Missing Americans, Says U.S. Envoy!
— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) May 25, 2025
“President Trump has made it clear that bringing home USA citizens or honoring, with dignity, their remains is a major priority everywhere. The new Syrian Government will aid us in this commitment,” he wrote.… pic.twitter.com/bOWBi9lPdR
