US envoy Barrack calls for immediate halt to Syria clashes, warns of external actors

US President Donald Trump’s envoy for Syria on Friday called on the Syrian government and Kurdish forces to immediately de-escalate tensions and return to dialogue after days of intense fighting.

The clashes, which erupted Tuesday, have displaced thousands of civilians and left several people killed or wounded.

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) held talks this week with Damascus on integrating its forces into the Syrian state, something it has so far resisted. Washington has been pushing for a negotiated deal to resolve the dispute.

But following armed clashes this week, the Trump administration has made its first public comments.

“We therefore issue an urgent appeal to the leadership of the Syrian government, SDF, local authorities in Kurdish-administered areas, and all armed actors on the ground: pause hostilities, reduce tensions immediately, and commit to de-escalation,” US envoy Tom Barrack said. “Let us prioritize the exchange of ideas and constructive proposals over the exchange of fire. The future of Aleppo, and of Syria as a whole, belongs to its people and must be shaped through peaceful means, not violence,” he said in a lengthy post on X.

Barrack went on to say that the US and its allies, including regional partners, are ready to facilitate efforts for deescalation in Syria.

The latest clashes in Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh led the Syrian army on Thursday to order residents to evacuate after accusing the SDF of using these areas to launch attacks.

Barrack urged all sides not to squander the momentum following the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, citing national reconciliation efforts, reconstruction plans, and recent talks with Israel.

He acknowledged that healing from Syria’s civil war would take time. “Nonetheless, we remain steadfast in the vision of a Syria that ensures full inclusion and equal rights for every citizen—Sunni, Kurd, Druze, Christian, Alawite, and all other communities—without exception.”

The US envoy also warned against “disruptive external forces and their proxies” seeking to undermine progress, without naming specific actors. “Their aim is renewed instability; ours is lasting peace grounded in mutual respect and shared prosperity.”

Barrack concluded his post saying, “Syria’s new chapter is one of cooperation, not confrontation. We will reach it together.”