US Acknowledges Direct Contact with HTS Rebels After Assad’s Overthrow

The United States has confirmed making direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group now in control of Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s acknowledgment marks the first instance of US engagement with HTS, a group still designated as a terrorist organization by Washington.  

Speaking in Jordan after multilateral talks involving Arab, Turkish, and European officials, Blinken said the discussions aimed to outline a peaceful transition for Syria. The collapse of Assad’s regime on December 8 has opened a fraught chapter for the war-torn country, raising concerns over governance, stability, and the role of HTS in shaping Syria’s future.  

The Jordan meeting underscored fears of Syria descending into chaos similar to Libya after Colonel Gaddafi’s fall. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the importance of preserving and reforming existing institutions to avoid prolonged instability.  

“Never allow terrorism to take advantage of the transition period,” Fidan cautioned, urging regional and international coordination.  

Jordan’s foreign minister echoed calls for a united Syria, noting regional powers’ resolve to avoid sectarian fragmentation. A joint communique from the meeting urged the creation of an inclusive government that respects minority rights and rejects the use of Syrian territory as a base for terrorist groups.  

HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as interim prime minister. Al-Sharaa has broken ties with al-Qaeda, rebranded HTS, and pledged inclusiveness, a sharp departure from the group’s jihadist roots as Jabhat al-Nusra.  

Despite these promises, skepticism remains about HTS’s ability to lead a diverse Syria after years of violence. Many observers question whether the group can shed its militant past and fulfill its claims of rejecting revenge and fostering unity.  

Blinken revealed that US contact with HTS has included discussions on the fate of missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria over a decade ago. “We’ve been in contact with HTS and with other parties,” Blinken said, without providing further details.  

This engagement reflects the delicate balance the US faces in dealing with HTS. While the group remains proscribed, it now holds significant sway in Syria, complicating efforts to ignore its role in the country’s transition.  

Notably absent from the Jordan talks were representatives from Syria, as well as Russia and Iran—the two nations that provided critical support to Assad during the civil war. Meanwhile, Israel has intensified airstrikes on Syrian territory, targeting what it claims are strategic threats, further inflaming tensions.  

The absence of these key players highlights the challenges of forging a cohesive international approach to Syria’s future. The shadow of foreign intervention, which defined Syria’s 13-year civil war, looms large as the country attempts to rebuild.   

The overthrow of Assad marks the end of his 24-year rule and the Assad family’s half-century grip on power. The civil war, sparked by Assad’s violent suppression of pro-democracy protests in 2011, claimed over 500,000 lives and displaced millions.  

Now, the question remains whether HTS and its interim leadership can deliver the inclusive governance they promise. As the Syrian people taste a newfound sense of freedom, the world watches anxiously to see if this historic turning point leads to unity or plunges the country into further turmoil.

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