US in Contact with New Rulers of Syria

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday that American officials have had direct communication with the terrorist-designated rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a leading role in the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Blinken, speaking at a press conference in Jordan, was the first U.S. official to publicly acknowledge these contacts between the Biden administration and HTS, a group that led a coalition of opposition forces responsible for driving Assad from power and forcing him into exile in Russia last weekend.

Blinken, alongside counterparts from eight Arab nations, Turkey, and senior officials from the European Union and United Nations, endorsed a set of principles to guide Syria’s transition toward a peaceful, inclusive, and nonsectarian country. While Blinken did not provide details of the discussions with HTS, he emphasized the importance of delivering messages to the group about its future conduct and governance during the transitional period.

In Aqaba, Blinken stated that the U.S. had been in contact with HTS and other parties, and reassured the Syrian people that the U.S. supports their success and is prepared to help. HTS, which was previously affiliated with al-Qaida, has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department since 2018, leading to severe sanctions, including a ban on providing material support to the group. However, U.S. officials are not prohibited from communicating with designated groups.

In a separate interview on Syrian television, HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, did not comment directly on the contacts with the U.S. but acknowledged that the new authorities in Syria were in communication with Western embassies. He also stated that HTS did not intend to engage in further conflict, citing the exhaustion of Syria’s population.

HTS has been working to stabilize security and initiate a political transition after seizing control of Damascus. It has attempted to reassure the public, which remains shaken by Assad’s fall and concerned about the presence of extremist elements among the rebels. The group’s leaders have stated their commitment to distancing themselves from their extremist past.

Blinken also highlighted the continued importance of defeating the Islamic State group, noting that U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters, part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, have played a critical role in driving ISIS out of large parts of Syria. He emphasized the need for these forces to maintain their position, especially during this unstable period when ISIS may attempt to regroup.

A joint statement from the foreign ministers meeting in Jordan urged all parties to stop hostilities in Syria and voiced support for a locally led political transition. The statement also called for preventing the resurgence of extremist groups and ensuring the secure and safe destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpiles.

Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, expressed concerns about Syria falling into chaos. Additionally, Arab foreign ministers issued a statement calling for U.N.-supervised elections based on a new constitution approved by the Syrian people, while condemning Israel’s recent actions in the region.

U.S. officials have noted that al-Sharaa has made positive statements about protecting the rights of minorities and women, but they remain skeptical about his long-term commitment to these goals.

In other developments, Syrian rebels and the unarmed opposition worked with U.S. officials to facilitate the release of an American man who had been detained by Assad’s government. U.S. officials also continue their search for Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been missing near Damascus for 12 years. Blinken stressed the importance of continued efforts to locate Tice and bring him home.