Members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee have introduced a Syria-related amendment to the draft National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), as part of a broader package addressing Middle East policy. The package includes provisions concerning Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, and regional defence cooperation.
A document circulated by political and diplomatic figures on social media indicates that committee members are proposing to condition US defence support to the Syrian government on its efforts to disarm all remaining foreign fighters and jihadist elements on Syrian territory.
Syrian media figure Ayman Abdel Nour wrote on Facebook that the proposal emerged as a “counter-reaction” to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent decision to remove Syria from the American list of countries “not fully cooperating with counterterrorism efforts.”
According to Abdel Nour, the delisting “opens the door to security and military cooperation with the Syrian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, and intelligence agencies, including the provision of equipment, supplies, and training programmes.”
Former Syrian diplomat Bassam Barabandi, also writing on Facebook, criticised what he described as the Syrian government’s disproportionate focus on economic events in Washington at the expense of engaging with US legislative institutions. He called the performance of Syrian officials handling the US portfolio “incomprehensible.”
“At a time when the country is facing economic problems of known causes and multiple forms,” Barabandi wrote, “seminars are being held in Washington discussing the Syrian market and economic opportunities in a way that does not reflect the reality on the ground.”
He warned that both chambers of Congress are currently debating next year’s federal budget, which includes Syria-related provisions requiring close attention from Damascus and its representatives in Washington “given the seriousness of the proposals being advanced and the potential pitfalls they contain.”
Barabandi argued that Syrian officials should have directed the time, funding, and effort spent on economic events toward engaging as many members of Congress as possible — both to secure assistance for Syria and to counter harmful ideas and “landmines” being placed in its path. He added that “relying solely on Ambassador Barak to resolve Syria’s problems is, in itself, misguided.”
He described the Senate committee’s proposal as “a mine more dangerous than any sanctions law,” warning that if Democrats win control of Congress — a scenario he framed as likely — and oppose President Trump’s policies, Syria could find itself “caught in the coming political vortex.”
In concluding his post, Barabandi stressed that “there is still time for serious and professional work to protect Syria’s stability and future,” urging a more strategic approach to engaging influential members of Congress.
Abdel Nour had earlier shared the document confirming Secretary Rubio’s removal of Syria from the list of countries “not fully cooperating with counterterrorism efforts.” He noted that Rubio had formally notified Congress of the decision, which would allow for security and military cooperation with Syrian defence, interior, and intelligence agencies, including the supply of equipment and training.
The website Al-Monitor previously reported that Washington is close to removing Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism, following the completion of internal reviews at the State Department. Such a move could have far-reaching implications for Syria’s economy, investment climate, and reconstruction prospects. The report noted ongoing debate within the administration over the timing of the decision and its political and economic consequences.
Al-Monitor also quoted Charles Lister, senior fellow and Director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute, who said Rubio “supports the idea that the US government needs some form of significant leverage over the government in Damascus to encourage it to move in the right direction” on issues such as governance, justice, and accountability.
Lister added that pressure from Israel and its allied groups in Washington remains a factor in maintaining Syria’s current designation, citing concerns over President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s background as a former leader of a faction that split from al-Qaeda — a violent extremist organisation responsible for severe human rights abuses and loss of civilian life. He noted that since al-Sharaa came to power, waves of sectarian violence against Alawites, Kurds, and Druze — carried out by Islamist fighters aligned with the government — have raised serious concerns about minority rights and safety in Syria.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
