Chemical Stockpiles to Be Eliminated in Syria-U.S. Deal

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — In a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough, Syria has announced a preliminary agreement with the United States on the complete elimination of its chemical weapons and the beginning of formal discussions regarding the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into the country’s official state institutions.

The development marks a significant step forward in stabilizing post-conflict Syria and redefining regional alliances.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting in Istanbul between Syrian Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack.

The bilateral discussions, held on the sidelines of al-Sharaa’s official visit to Türkiye, also covered a range of critical issues, including the gradual lifting of U.S. sanctions and renewed efforts to stimulate foreign investment.

Path to Economic Recovery and Sanctions Relief

President al-Sharaa emphasized the urgent need to lift sanctions that he said continue to impose a "heavy burden" on the Syrian people and hamper the country’s economic recovery. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to rebuilding a unified and sovereign Syria.

According to Envoy Barrack, the United States has already begun implementing measures to ease sanctions in line with President Donald Trump’s directives. "The process will continue until a complete lifting is achieved," he stated.

In a post shared on X following his meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani in Istanbul, Ambassador Barrack elaborated on the significance of the talks. He described the encounter as "historic," aimed at enacting President Trump’s bold decision to forge a path toward peace and prosperity in Syria.

Barrack praised Syria's rapid response in embracing sanctions relief, particularly Secretary Rubio’s announcement of a 180-day waiver of Caesar Act sanctions and the Treasury Department's introduction of General License 25. "Had we not acted so promptly and deliberately to remove sanctions, our partners in the region would not be able to provide donor dollars, supplies, and energy to relieve the plight and trauma of the traumatized Syrian population," he emphasized.

He reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the Syrian people after years of conflict, stressing that the cessation of sanctions would not only support humanitarian relief but also uphold the integrity of the broader U.S. goal—the enduring defeat of ISIS.

Barrack also acknowledged President al-Sharaa’s efforts to address key American concerns regarding foreign terrorist fighters, ISIS countermeasures, and the handling of camps and detention centers in northeastern Syria.

Importantly, both sides agreed to pursue further dialogue aimed at developing private sector investment, with Barrack highlighting interest from regional and global partners including Türkiye, the Gulf states, Europe, and the United States.

"This meeting," Barrack wrote, "put the issue of sanctions far behind us and resulted in a joint commitment to drive forward with investment, development, and worldwide branding of a new, welcoming Syria without sanctions."

Today, I met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani in Istanbul to implement President Trump’s bold decision to provide a path for peace and prosperity in Syria. President al-Sharaa praised America’s fast action on lifting sanctions,… pic.twitter.com/m63iiZTGLL

— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) May 24, 2025

Focus on Reconstruction and Investment

The two delegations discussed strategies to boost foreign investment, particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. The Syrian side declared its willingness to provide all necessary facilitations to attract international investors and support the reconstruction process.

Emphasis was placed on ensuring a "stable and secure environment" conducive to economic activity.

Al-Sharaa reiterated his government’s firm rejection of any plans to partition the country, underlining Damascus’ commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Syria.

Security and Disarmament Frameworks

Among the meeting's key outcomes was the agreement to eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles. The disarmament process will be conducted in coordination with the international community and in accordance with international treaties.

Discussions also touched on reinforcing joint security cooperation, with a focus on counterterrorism and enhanced border control. Officials highlighted that such coordination is essential for stabilizing Syria and securing its borders.

Reviving the 1974 Disengagement Accord

The delegations reaffirmed the importance of maintaining the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel as a foundational framework for peace and stability in southern Syria, particularly along the Golan Heights.

Interior Ministry Restructuring: A Message to the West

As reported by Agence France-Presse, Syrian authorities simultaneously unveiled a comprehensive restructuring of the Interior Ministry, a move designed to signal Damascus’s commitment to reform and its intent to normalize relations with the West.

The overhaul, announced Saturday, includes establishing a citizens’ complaints department and consolidating the police and General Security agency under a newly-formed Internal Security command. According to spokesman Noureddine al-Baba, the goal is to create "a modern civil security institution that adopts transparency and respects international human rights standards."

In response to persistent concerns from international observers, the restructuring also includes the formation of a specialized border security body charged with combating cross-border drug and human smuggling, notably captagon trafficking, which has plagued the region in recent years.

Additional units will oversee security for government facilities and foreign missions, and a new tourism police force will be responsible for protecting visitors and historical sites—part of a broader initiative to relaunch Syria’s battered tourism sector.

Washington and Allies Respond

Syria’s Foreign Ministry hailed the U.S. sanctions relief as "a positive step in the right direction," highlighting the humanitarian and economic benefits expected to follow. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli also described the move as "of critical importance in efforts to bring stability and security to Syria."

The lifting of sanctions was formally announced by President Trump during a recent Gulf tour, and reaffirmed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The U.S. Treasury Department clarified that the relief applies conditionally to Syria's new administration, requiring assurances against harboring terrorist groups and guarantees for the protection of ethnic and religious minorities.

The State Department simultaneously issued a 180-day waiver for the Caesar Act, enabling foreign investment in Syria’s reconstruction and humanitarian sectors.

Secretary Rubio noted that this waiver would "facilitate the provision of electricity, energy, water and sanitation, and enable a more effective humanitarian response across Syria."

From Conflict to Reconstruction

According to AFP, over 14 years of brutal civil war have left more than half a million Syrians dead and decimated national infrastructure. The Assad regime’s security services, now dissolved, had kept nearly one-third of the population under suspicion.

Analysts caution that while recent developments represent a marked shift, a full lifting of sanctions will require Congressional approval and sustained political will. Nonetheless, Trump has described Syria’s new leadership as deserving "a chance at greatness" following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.

Envoy Barrack echoed this sentiment during his Istanbul meetings, stating: "President Trump's goal is to enable the new government to create the conditions for the Syrian people to not only survive but thrive."

Meanwhile, President al-Sharaa continues to build international credibility, holding talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and visiting high-risk areas such as the al-Hol camp in Syria’s northeast, home to the families of former Islamic State militants.

The coming months will reveal whether this agreement marks a turning point in the long and painful saga of Syria’s post-war recovery, or merely the beginning of another complex chapter in Middle Eastern diplomacy.