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Syria
Joel Rayburn speaks at the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa in 2019. Photo: World Economic Forum
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The US special envoy to Syria said on Monday that he is leaving his position just two months after his appointment, a move related to the change of administration in Washington.
“This is a normal rotation of personnel that happens during a transition from one administration to another,” outgoing envoy Joel Rayburn told The National.
However, unnamed American sources told the United Arab Emirates-based outlet that Rayburn, a key architect of US policy in Syria, is leaving the role because of personnel changes being made by the new administration.
Donald Trump’s term ends on January 20, when President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated.
Rayburn replaced James Jeffrey, who retired in November. Before taking up the position, Rayburn had been serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Levant Affairs.
Rayburn had “been involved in affairs related to the Kurdish issue for a long time”, Ibrahim Biro, a member of the foreign relations office of Rojava’s opposition Kurdish National Council (ENKS) said at the time of the envoy’s appointment.
Officials from ENKS and Rojava’s ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD) have said that the recent changes in US officials in Syria have been the main reason behind the suspension of intra-Kurdish talks, which had been taking place with Washington’s supervision. Rayburn’s departure could deal another blow to the unity talks.
Among prominent Middle East policy figures appointed by Biden is Brett McGurk who served as US special envoy to the fight against Islamic State (ISIS) but resigned in late 2018 after Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria.
McGurk is known for his support for Syria's Kurds. His appointment by Biden as the Middle East and North Africa coordinator for the National Security Council was celebrated by many Kurds on social media.
“This is a normal rotation of personnel that happens during a transition from one administration to another,” outgoing envoy Joel Rayburn told The National.
However, unnamed American sources told the United Arab Emirates-based outlet that Rayburn, a key architect of US policy in Syria, is leaving the role because of personnel changes being made by the new administration.
Donald Trump’s term ends on January 20, when President-elect Joe Biden will be inaugurated.
Rayburn replaced James Jeffrey, who retired in November. Before taking up the position, Rayburn had been serving as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Levant Affairs.
Rayburn had “been involved in affairs related to the Kurdish issue for a long time”, Ibrahim Biro, a member of the foreign relations office of Rojava’s opposition Kurdish National Council (ENKS) said at the time of the envoy’s appointment.
Officials from ENKS and Rojava’s ruling Democratic Union Party (PYD) have said that the recent changes in US officials in Syria have been the main reason behind the suspension of intra-Kurdish talks, which had been taking place with Washington’s supervision. Rayburn’s departure could deal another blow to the unity talks.
Among prominent Middle East policy figures appointed by Biden is Brett McGurk who served as US special envoy to the fight against Islamic State (ISIS) but resigned in late 2018 after Trump’s decision to withdraw troops from Syria.
McGurk is known for his support for Syria's Kurds. His appointment by Biden as the Middle East and North Africa coordinator for the National Security Council was celebrated by many Kurds on social media.
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