U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday that U.S. officials have been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a leading role in the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Despite being designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. and other countries, Blinken is the first U.S. official to publicly acknowledge communications with the group.
During a news conference in Aqaba, Jordan, Blinken refrained from providing specific details about the contacts but emphasized the importance of conveying messages to HTS regarding their conduct and governance plans during Syria’s transition. “Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties,” Blinken stated, adding, “Our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed, and we are prepared to help them do so.”
Blinken also revealed that the U.S. is communicating with those in positions of authority within Syria. HTS, which was once affiliated with al-Qaida, has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department since 2018, a classification that includes harsh sanctions and prohibits providing material support to the group. However, this designation does not prevent U.S. officials from communicating with such groups.
In a recent interview with Syrian television, HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani) did not directly address contact with the U.S. but indicated that the new Syrian authorities in Damascus have engaged with Western embassies.
HTS has worked to establish security and begin a political transition following its control of Damascus, attempting to calm a population shocked by Assad’s fall and concerned about the influence of extremist elements within the opposition. The group has sought to assure the public that it has distanced itself from its extremist roots.
In a Friday video message, al-Sharaa congratulated the Syrian people on their victory, calling it a “blessed revolution.” U.S. officials have acknowledged his recent remarks on protecting the rights of minorities and women but remain cautious about his commitment to follow through.
“We know that what happens inside Syria can have far-reaching consequences, from mass displacement to terrorism, and we cannot underestimate the challenges ahead,” Blinken noted.
In a separate development, Blinken confirmed that rebels and Syria’s unarmed opposition successfully facilitated the safe handover of an American man who had been imprisoned by Assad’s regime. Additionally, U.S. officials continue their search for Austin Tice, an American journalist who vanished 12 years ago near Damascus. “We have impressed upon everyone we’ve been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home,” Blinken said.
Travis Timmerman, the American who was recently freed from a Syrian prison following Assad’s ouster, was safely taken out of the country by the U.S. military.
