Rubio: Syria's trajectory positive despite challenges, US working with new leadership

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed Sunday that Syria is moving in a "positive direction" under its new leadership, despite acknowledging significant challenges. Speaking alongside Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Bratislava, Rubio addressed Republican congressional concerns about Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who assumed power following Bashar al-Assad's ouster in 2024, and defended the Trump administration's decision to engage with Damascus.

Two Options: Chaos or Cooperation

Rubio outlined the administration's stark choice: allow Syria to fragment into chaos with mass migration, terrorism, and Iranian influence, or work with Syrian authorities. "Guess what? We chose number two," he stated, arguing the current outcome "is far better than a Syria that would have been broken up... with all kinds of fighting going on." US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack briefed congressional committees last week with transparency about the difficulties, Rubio noted, adding: "But we think it's headed in a positive direction, even though it's been tested."

Daesh Prisoner Transfer Cited as Progress

Rubio credited President Donald Trump's personal engagement with al-Sharaa for preventing a major security crisis. He said Trump urged a halt to fighting to enable transfer of thousands of Daesh prisoners who "could have broken out and created havoc and chaos." According to Rubio, "Al-Sharaa did it. He's kept his word up to this point," with prisoners moved to Iraq, preventing them "running crazy all over the place and threatening us in the future." The Syrian Interior Ministry had previously reported that Daesh detainees were released by the YPG/SDF terror group from al-Shaddadi prison in January, with Syrian forces subsequently recapturing all prisoners.

Realistic Expectations

Acknowledging the complexity, Rubio concluded: "Is it going to be easy? No. Is it going to be difficult? Absolutely. Is it going to have ups and downs and good days and bad days? No doubt about it. We like the trajectory. We have to keep it on that trajectory."