US State Department Confirms No Change in Syrian Embassy Status in Washington

Washington, Dec 17 (NationPress) There has been no change in status of the Syrian embassy in Washington that has been closed since 2014, a spokesperson for the US State Department stated.

"No, there is not," Matthew Miller, the spokesperson, replied during a regular press briefing when a reporter asked if "there's no change in status of the Syrian embassy in Washington, D.C.," as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Miller's comments followed a report from Syria TV, a state broadcaster now under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham—the main militia group that ousted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad—claiming that the Syrian embassy in Washington would reopen as early as Monday.

Miller clarified that the US government does not control the building that serves as the Syrian embassy in downtown Washington, nor does it manage any activities taking place there.

Regarding the reported raising of the Syrian opposition flag at the embassy, Miller mentioned that the decision was made by the Syrian permanent representative to the United Nations, which has not received recognition from the US government.

The US mandated the closure of the Syrian embassy and the exit of Syrian diplomats in March 2014, citing that the al-Assad regime, which was grappling with domestic strife for three years at that time, committed atrocities against the Syrian populace.

A news advisory from the National Press Club (NPC), a US domestic association for journalists, indicated that the reopening of the Syrian embassy was planned for 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice—an American freelance journalist reportedly missing in Syria—expected to attend the reopening ceremony.

Xinhua has reached out to the NPC to confirm the details regarding the embassy's reopening.