US envoy says purpose of anti-Daesh alliance with Kurds ‘largely expired’

Last Updated on January 20, 2026 10:36 pm

DAMASCUS: US envoy Tom Barrack said on Tuesday that the existence of a friendly government in Damascus meant the reason for Washington’s alliance with Syrian Kurds against the Daesh group had “largely expired.”

“The original purpose of the SDF as the primary anti-ISIS force on the ground has largely expired, as Damascus is now both willing and positioned to take over security responsibilities, including control of Daesh detention facilities and camps,” he said.