New History, Syria Raises Flags In The US After The Fall Of The Assad Regime

Syria/DOK PHOTO via X The White Helmets @SyriaCivivilDef

JAKARTA - Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani raised the flag over the Syrian Embassy building in Washington, DC for the first time in more than ten years.

The ceremony was attended by the Syrian-American community who called the moment a historic day for the Syrian people and the beginning of a new chapter of bilateral relations, nine months after the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

The flag-raising took place ahead of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa's visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly, which will be the first visit of a Syrian president to the United States in 58 years.

"Of course this is a historic moment," Shaibani told Anadolu after the ceremony, adding that the moment reflected the struggle of the Syrian people during the 14th anniversary of civil war.

Raghad Bushnaq (55), a US citizen of Syrian descent from Damascus who has lived in America since 1989, said he had never imagined that day.

I remember the last time I was here about 15 years ago, the ambassador photographed us from inside the building to be reported to Assad. At that time, many of my friends covered his face. Now we can come happily. This is a historic moment. You can smell the smell of freedom in Syria," he said as quoted by ANTARA from Anadolu, Saturday, September 20.

Bushnaq also expressed his gratitude to Turkey and all countries that have helped and supported the Syrian people.

Meanwhile, Ameer Alsamman, a Syrian-American citizen and founder of the podcast program Syria Speaks, called the day a real start to a new chapter of US-Syria relations.

Today is a new beginning. Hopefully Damascus and Washington can build a much better relationship. In my opinion, this is a sign that things are moving in the right direction," he said.

Regarding the issue of the permanent lifting of US sanctions against Syria, Alsamman said many parties, including himself, wanted that. I want Syrian sanctions to be lifted. Many members of Congress also have the same opinion. President Donald Trump has conveyed it. I am optimistic," he said.

During his visit, Shaibani met a number of lawmakers and senior US officials, including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau and US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack.

According to the US government, talks at the State Department include Syria's future, Syria-Israeli relations, and the March 10 agreement between Damascus and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The agreement announced by the Syrian presidency earlier this year contained an SDF integration plan into state institutions, reaffirming territorial integrity, and rejecting the separatist agenda.

Shaibani's visit to Washington on Thursday marked the first visit of a Syrian foreign minister to the US in more than 25 years.

This historic visit comes amid Damascus's efforts to expand diplomatic engagement after years of isolation due to civil war and the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Assad, who led Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia by the end of 2024, ending the dominance of the ruling Batih Party since 1963.

In January, a new transitional government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was officially formed in Syria.