Blinken reveals US officials are in direct communication with the Syrian rebel faction that removed Assad.

AQABA, Jordan — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday that American officials have engaged in direct communication with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a rebel group designated as a terrorist organization. This statement was made during a press conference held in Jordan, marking the first public acknowledgment by a U.S. official regarding interactions between the Biden administration and the group, which played a pivotal role in the recent overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad, forcing him to seek asylum in Russia.

At the conference, Blinken, alongside representatives from eight Arab nations, Turkey, and senior officials from the European Union and the United Nations, endorsed a set of principles aimed at facilitating Syria’s transition toward a peaceful, nonsectarian, and inclusive government. While specific details of the communications with HTS were not disclosed, Blinken emphasized the significance of conveying messages regarding the group’s behavior and governance intentions during this transitional phase. He stated, “Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties,” and reiterated the U.S. commitment to support the Syrian populace in their path to success.

HTS, which had affiliations with al-Qaida in the past, has been classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department since 2018. This designation entails strict sanctions, including a ban against providing material support to the group or its affiliates. Nevertheless, U.S. officials are not legally prohibited from communicating with organizations classified in this manner.

In a recent television interview, HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, refrained from discussing any direct dialogue with U.S. representatives but noted that the new authorities in Damascus were in contact with Western embassies and highlighted that “we don’t intend to enter any conflict because there is general exhaustion in Syria.” Since taking over Damascus, HTS has focused on establishing security and initiating a political transition, attempting to reassure a skeptical public concerned about extremist elements within the rebel forces. Leaders within the insurgent group have asserted that they are distancing themselves from their previous extremist ideologies.

Additionally, Blinken reaffirmed the importance of maintaining efforts to combat the Islamic State group, which is viewed as an ongoing critical mission. He referenced the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, comprised primarily of Kurdish fighters, who have been instrumental in efforts to eliminate IS from significant portions of Syria. He indicated that it is crucial for these forces to continue their role amidst the prevailing instability, which could provide opportunities for IS to regroup.

At the conclusion of the foreign ministers’ meeting, a joint statement was released, urging all involved parties to cease hostilities within Syria and expressing support for a locally driven transitional political process. The statement emphasized the necessity of preventing the resurgence of extremist groups and ensuring the secure destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles. Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, remarked, “We don’t want Syria to fall into chaos.”

A separate declaration by Arab foreign ministers called for elections supervised by the United Nations, based on a new constitution that must be ratified by the Syrian people. This statement condemned Israeli operations in the buffer zone with Syria and characterized them as a “heinous occupation,” demanding the withdrawal of Israeli military forces.

U.S. officials have expressed cautious optimism regarding al-Sharaa’s recent remarks about safeguarding the rights of minorities and women but remain skeptical about the long-term commitment to these pledges. On a different note, U.S. officials managed to facilitate the safe transfer of an American citizen who had been imprisoned by Assad’s regime with the assistance of rebel groups.

Furthermore, U.S. authorities are still in pursuit of Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing near Damascus over a decade ago. Blinken emphasized the necessity of ensuring Tice’s safe return, stating, “We have impressed upon everyone we’ve been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home.”

In other recent developments, Turkey reopened its embassy in Damascus, becoming the first nation to do so since the collapse of Assad’s regime; the embassy had been closed for 12 years due to civil war-related security issues. Al-Sharaa also stated in an interview that Israeli airstrikes in recent days have exceeded acceptable engagement rules, although he asserted that HTS would refrain from engaging in conflict with Israel. Additionally, the leader of Lebanon’s Hezbollah militants mentioned the loss of a military supply line through Syria, while suggesting that under the new governance, this route might be reinstated.

A Syrian war watchdog and a citizen journalist reported a brutal assault on members of a Syrian insurgent group, Failaq al-Sham, in the country’s coastal region, resulting in casualties among fifteen of their members. This area is predominantly inhabited by individuals from Assad’s minority Alawite sect.