Tue Mar 25 18:07:24 UTC 2025: ## US Demands Syria Dismantle Chemical Weapons, Bar Foreigners from Top Roles for Sanctions Relief

**Brussels, Belgium** – In a previously unreported development, the United States has presented Syria with a list of conditions for partial sanctions relief, marking the first high-level direct contact between the two nations since President Trump took office. According to six sources familiar with the matter, including US officials and Syrian sources, the demands, delivered by US Deputy Assistant Secretary Natasha Franceschi to Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani in Brussels, include the complete destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles, cooperation on counterterrorism efforts, and the removal of foreign fighters from senior government positions.

The US specifically cited Syria’s recent appointment of foreign ex-rebels, including Uyghurs, a Jordanian, and a Turk, to its defense ministry as a cause for concern. Further, Washington requested the appointment of a liaison to aid in the search for missing US journalist Austin Tice.

In exchange for meeting these conditions, the US has offered unspecified sanctions relief. While the specifics and timeline remain unclear, the offer represents a significant step, given Syria’s desperate need for economic recovery after nearly 14 years of war and crippling sanctions imposed by the US, UK, and Europe.

The conditions reveal a nuanced US approach to Syria, reflecting internal debate within the administration. While some officials favor a hardline stance, others advocate for a more engaged approach, potentially opening avenues for cooperation. This internal tension was highlighted recently by disagreements over a statement condemning violence in western Syria, with the White House pushing for stronger language than the State Department. While Israel has lobbied the US to maintain a weak and decentralized Syria, the administration has not fully embraced this approach.

The delivery of these demands marks the clearest indication yet of the Trump administration’s Syria policy, which previously remained largely undefined, leaving uncertainty about future sanctions and US military presence in the northeast. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Department of State have not yet responded to requests for comment.

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