The United States has made direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group now in control of Syria following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed. This marks the first public acknowledgment of U.S. interaction with HTS, a group still designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Blinken revealed that discussions with HTS have focused on the fate of Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria since 2012. He made these remarks during a meeting in Jordan, where representatives from Arab nations, Turkey, and Europe convened to discuss Syria’s future. The officials pledged support for a peaceful transition process, emphasizing the importance of stability in the war-torn nation. Jordan’s foreign minister warned against Syria descending into further chaos, while a joint communique called for the formation of an inclusive government that safeguards minority rights and prevents the resurgence of terrorist groups.
The recent fall of Assad’s regime, which ended a 13-year civil war, has sparked urgent conversations about establishing a governance system that represents all Syrians. HTS, despite its newfound control, was not present at the Jordan meeting. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein expressed concerns shared across the region, cautioning against Syria becoming another Libya, a country plagued by instability following the removal of its dictator.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed the need to preserve and reform existing Syrian institutions. “Never allow terrorism to exploit the transition period,” Fidan said, urging regional and international coordination to avoid repeating past mistakes.
HTS, Syria’s most dominant rebel faction, was originally formed as Jabhat al-Nusra in 2011, a direct affiliate of al-Qaeda. The group was proscribed as a terrorist organization by the U.S., the UN, and others due to its deadly campaigns against Assad’s forces. However, in 2016, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, officially severed ties with al-Qaeda and has recently pledged tolerance for Syria’s diverse religious communities.
The conflict in Syria, which began with Assad’s brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protests, resulted in over 500,000 deaths and displaced millions. As international powers deliberate Syria’s future, the challenge remains to ensure stability, inclusivity, and protection from extremist exploitation during the country’s transition.