Rare U.S.-Syrian Talks on Missing Persons Held in New York

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a rare meeting with the head of Syria’s transitional government, Ahmad Al-Shar’a, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly sessions—an unprecedented move after years of estrangement between the two countries.

In a statement, the U.S. State Department said the discussions focused on efforts to locate missing American citizens in Syria, stressing that the humanitarian file remains a top priority for Washington.

Diplomatic sources indicated that the talks also covered cooperation on counterterrorism and ways to enhance regional security, hinting at the possibility of opening a dialogue channel between the two sides after a prolonged rift.

The meeting is seen as a potential starting point for a new phase in U.S.-Syrian relations, despite ongoing deep disagreements over the Syrian crisis and its humanitarian and political consequences.