Syrian Emergency Task Force

Building a free, democratic Syria through advocacy, justice, and humanitarian work. Supporting Syrians as they shape their future.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

Today, the United States formally removed Syria’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, the final designation hindering Syria’s full recovery and reintegration after the fall of the Assad regime. SETF welcomes this critical step towards a stable and prosperous Syria, one in which freedom and democracy can prevail.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

Another weekly roundup of the latest headlines from Syria as we move into October.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

This week, SETF went to visit the Conway Morning Rotary Club to share updates from Syria and the hope we have for its future.

This community has followed and supported our work in Syria for nearly a decade, especially our humanitarian and education programs. Now, they are coming together once again for a Soup for Syria event this fall, with the goal of helping us raise the funds needed for our education programs.

We’re thankful for a community that continues to stand with Syria and its children. ❤️🇸🇾

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

Last week, Rabbi Henry Hamra, founding member of the Jewish Heritage in Syria Foundation (JHS) @JHS_Foundation, partner of SETF, delivered a speech outside the United Nations during a rally organized by the Syrian-American community. Alongside Executive Director Mouaz Moustafa, Hamra discussed the importance of Jewish cultural preservation and a peaceful, prosperous, and united Syria that can rebuild the damage of the former regime.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

We’ve had a busy week in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly! SETF was proud to meet with the Syrian government, including President al-Sharaa himself, attend rallies with other community leaders, speak with multiple media outlets, appear on a panel hosted by the U.S. State Department, and more. Watch for a recap of our exciting few days by @SoccerMouaz.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

On Wednesday, our Executive Director Mouaz Moustafa @SoccerMouaz gave a speech at a rally for Syrian-Americans outside the United Nations in New York. While President al-Sharaa addressed the General Assembly, Mouaz talked about some of our biggest accomplishments including the lifting of the Caesar sanctions, the removal of Syria from the state sponsors of terrorism list, and the continued pursuit of Assad’s war criminals in the aftermath of the revolution. Watch to hear more about SETF’s commitment to a just, accountable, and democratic Syria, and the next steps towards a brighter future.

[USForeignAssist @USForeignAssist]

.@StateDRL’s participation at the Justice for the Missing in Syria panel today reaffirmed U.S. commitment to justice and accountability for all families affected by the Assad regime. Meaningful justice and accountability efforts, including progress on the search for the missing, are critical to supporting Syria’s post-conflict transition.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

Yesterday, we were honored to meet with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in New York, where we discussed SETF's important work with bringing war criminals to justice in coordination with the United States government. As Syria continues to build a prosperous and democratic society, transitional justice is critical to address the atrocities committed and allow the country to heal. SETF is proud to have played a key role in the arrest, trial, and sentencing of multiple war criminals including General Samir Othman al-Sheikh and Assad’s cousin Antoine Kassis in the US, and will continue to hunt the regime’s war criminals, including the former dictator himself.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

Syrian children know better than most what peace costs, and what it's worth.
Peace isn't just the end of the war. It's a child in a classroom, a survivor seeing justice done, a community rebuilding with dignity.

Today, International Day of Peace calls to Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day. For us at SETF, we answer this call by investing in the things that make peace last: education through Wisdom House and Tomorrow's Dawn, justice through our work to hold war criminals accountable, and hope through Letters of Hope, which tell Syrian children they are not alone.

Send your message of peace and hope to a child in Syria: https://t.co/sM6lTOXByC #internationalpeaceday

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

September 17, 2026 was a monumental day on which Samir Othman al-Sheikh, a former Assad general who was convicted of torture in an LA court earlier this year, was sentenced to 60 years in prison for his crimes during the regime. Watch to learn about SETF’s pivotal role in al-Sheikh’s arrest and trial, which began back in 2022.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

This week’s roundup of some of the latest headlines from Syria.

[Mouaz Moustafa @SoccerMouaz]

So proud to have been a part of an organization @syrianetf that played a key role in this victory and grateful to the amazing FBI team we got to work with

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

جلاد سجن عدرا، أمام القضاء الأميركي.

للمرة الأولى، يواجه مسؤول رفيع من نظام الأسد المساءلة الجنائية عن التعذيب أمام محكمة فدرالية أميركية: العميد سمير عثمان الشيخ، الذي أدار سجن عدرا وفرع الأمن السياسي فيها، صدر بحقه اليوم حكم بالسجن 60 عامًا.

#سوريا #العدالة_الانتقالية

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

A statement from Khaled Abdul Malek, the first witness in the trial of Samir Othman al-Sheikh, after al-Sheikh was sentenced to 60 years in prison today.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

We welcome today’s historic sentencing of former Assad regime Brigadier General Samir Othman Al-Sheikh, who was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison following his conviction on three counts of torture, conspiracy to commit torture, immigration document fraud, and attempted naturalization fraud. As Mouaz Moustafa, our Executive Director, stated, “SETF is committed to continuing our work with U.S. law enforcement and the Syrian government to ensure that every war criminal faces their day in court. We are committed to a peaceful and democratic Syria, and that cannot happen without justice and accountability for the remnants of Assad’s regime.”

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

UPDATE 4:05 PM PT / 7:05 PM ET: We have learned that two of al-Sheikh’s children made statements on his behalf, and al-Sheikh himself spoke at length, claiming that he did not get along with the Assad regime and feared for his life. The court is on a brief break at the moment, after which the sentence will be read.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

Today at 1:30 PM PT / 4:30 PM ET, ex-Assad Brigadier General Samir Othman al-Sheikh will be SENTENCED in a Los Angeles federal court for his war crimes. Follow along below for SETF's live updates as we watch the trial:

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

UPDATE 2:55 PM PT / 5:55 PM ET: The sentencing is still ongoing, and will likely last a couple more hours. We have learned that al-Sheikh's legal team immediately requested to cancel the Zoom broadcast on the grounds that they had not been given sufficient notice. Al-Sheikh is now requesting to be deported to Syria to face sentencing there. In response, the prosecution argued that as a legal permanent resident and a person convicted of torture in US federal court, he ought to be sentenced as a criminal here. They have requested 80 years in prison. The defense is still making their arguments, and some victims' statements have been presented as well. Stay tuned for more updates from the courtroom.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

Our team at the court has informed us that Samir Othman al-Sheikh objected to a public Zoom, and his sentencing may not be broadcast as anticipated. We will share developments as soon as possible as we hear updates from the ground.

[Syrian Emergency Task Force @syrianetf]

غدًا، سيصدر الحكم بحق العميد السابق في نظام الأسد والقائد السابق لسجن عدرا سمير عثمان الشيخ في محكمة لوس أنجلوس، بعد إدانته بتهم التعذيب والاحتيال في الهجرة في آذار/مارس الماضي.
​شاهدوا جلسة النطق بالحكم مباشرةً الساعة 1:30 ظهرًا بتوقيت المحيط الهادئ / 11:30 مساءً بتوقيت سوريا، عبر الرابط التالي:
https://t.co/BZ92CZ65xC