Damascus Officially Denies.. No Planned American Military Presence Inside the Capital

A source in the Syrian Foreign Ministry denied what was reported in a Reuters report about the United States' readiness to establish a military presence at an airbase in the capital, Damascus, confirming that this news is "not true" and does not reflect the nature of the ongoing communications between the two parties.


The Syrian Position

The source told the "SANA" agency that Washington is currently moving towards a "direct engagement" with the central Syrian government, supporting efforts to unify the country and rejecting any partition projects.
He added that what is currently being worked on is transferring the understandings that were made out of necessity with temporary formations to become within a common and central framework in Damascus that includes political, military, and economic coordination.


Background of the Reuters Report

Reuters had quoted six sources saying that the United States is considering establishing a military presence at an airbase in Damascus to monitor a potential security agreement between Syria and Israel, but the agency also noted that the timing of sending American personnel – if it happens – is still undecided.


A Broader Political Context

The debate over this news comes at a time when discussions about shifts in the American approach towards Syria are increasing, while Washington is preparing to host Syrian President Ahmad al-Shara in the White House next Monday, at the invitation of President Donald Trump.