"A pivotal moment" - The U.S. State Department comments on raising the American flag above its ambassador's residence in Damascus.

After a complete break in relations lasting nearly 12 years, the American flag was recently raised above the US Ambassador's residence in Damascus. This step marked a new chapter in relations initiated by Washington and Damascus following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime and the arrival of President Ahmed al-Shar'a to power. The US State Department commented on the flag-raising, stating that this step, after a long hiatus, in the presence of the US Special Envoy to Syria, Thomas Barrack, represents a "pivotal moment." The State Department tweeted on "X": this is a "symbolic step coinciding with Washington's announcement of lifting sanctions on Syria," adding that it is a "new page being written in US-Syrian relations." Last Thursday, the ceremony to raise the American flag above the Ambassador's residence in the capital Damascus took place in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Mr. Asaad al-Shibani.