US fears al-Sharaa’s reforms raise risk of assassination

Ambassador Tom Barrack from President Donald Trump’s government expressed concern that Syria president Ahmed al-Sharaa could be assassinated due to his efforts towards governmental reform, Al-Monitor reported on June 10th.

“We need to coordinate a protection system around [Sharaa],” Barrack, who is the US special envoy for Syria told Al-Monitor in an interview, citing threats from splinter groups among the foreign fighters who helped overthrow Bashar al-Assad in December.

As Syria’s new government moves to integrate former rebel fighters into its national army, groups such as the Islamic State are reportedly attempting to recruit the fighters. Barrack warned that failure to deliver economic relief quickly could fuel instability.

“The more fraction groups you’re going to have that are going to say, ‘This is our opportunity to disrupt,’” he said.

The Trump administration recently lifted all sanctions on Syria following Trump’s May 14th meeting with al-Sharaa in Riyadh. A general license issued on May 23rd now permits US citizens and companies to conduct financial transactions with Syrian institutions.

The State Department also granted a six-month waiver for sanctions enforced under the 2019 Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act. New legislation to repeal the law is being drafted in Congress.

Barrack denied that sanctions relief came with conditions. “We are not dictating. We are not giving conditions. We’re not nation-building,” he said. However, he acknowledged there are “expectations” regarding al-Sharaa’s commitments, including tackling Palestinian militants and working towards Syria’s entry into the Abraham Accords.

Despite leading Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a US-designated terrorist group once tied to al-Qaeda, al-Sharaa has positioned himself as a pragmatic leader. Barrack described him as “bright,” “confident,” and committed to building “an inclusive, functioning society that will be soft Islam, not hard Islam.”

In March, al-Sharaa inked a deal with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to integrate its forces with the national army, and a prisoner exchange followed between the SDF and the Syrian government. However, disputes remain, including over strategic infrastructure such as the Tishreen Dam.

Al-Sharaa has also pledged to adhere to Syria’s 1974 ceasefire agreement with Israel. Barrack, who previously urged for a non-aggression pact between the two countries, said a “silent understanding” between Damascus and Tel Aviv could prevent future conflict.

While challenges remain, including sectarian tensions and the presence of radicalized fighters, Barrack said the US is focused on lifting economic barriers. “All we’re doing is unwrapping the restrictions that stop the flow of good ideas and good people to help,” he said.

At this stage, he added, “one drop of hope trumps a reservoir of a bad reality.”

Al-Monitor