Blinken confirms that US officials directly contacted the Syrian rebel group responsible for toppling Assad

The secretary of state declined to share specific details regarding the contacts but emphasized the importance of the U.S. communicating messages to the group about its behavior and its plans for governance during the transition period.

Blinken confirms that US officials directly contacted the Syrian rebel group responsible for toppling Assad
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday that American officials have engaged in direct communication with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian rebel group that led the effort to oust President Bashar Assad’s government. HTS, however, is classified as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States and other nations.

Blinken's statements mark the first acknowledgment from a U.S. official regarding contacts between the Biden administration and HTS, which played a pivotal role in the recent overthrow of Assad.

During a news conference in Aqaba, Jordan, Blinken refrained from providing specific details about the communications. He emphasized the necessity for the U.S. to deliver messages to HTS concerning its future conduct and governance during the transitional period. "Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties," Blinken stated, further elaborating that “our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and we’re prepared to help them do so.”

Established as a foreign terrorist organization by the State Department in 2018, HTS was previously affiliated with al-Qaida, which brings severe sanctions, including a prohibition on providing any “material support” to the group or its members. Nonetheless, these sanctions do not legally prevent U.S. officials from interacting with designated groups.

Following the seizure of Damascus, HTS has aimed to create security and initiate a political transition, all while addressing the public’s concerns about the presence of extremist elements among the rebels. Insurgent leaders assert that the group has moved away from its extremist origins.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, the group's leader formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, released a video message on Friday congratulating “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” U.S. officials have noted that Sharaa's recent remarks regarding the protection of minority and women’s rights are encouraging, though there remains skepticism about his commitment to uphold such promises in the future.

On Friday, rebel forces, alongside Syria’s unarmed opposition, successfully facilitated the transfer of an American man who had been imprisoned by Assad to U.S. officials. U.S. officials continue to seek information on the whereabouts of Austin Tice, an American journalist who vanished near Damascus twelve years ago. "We have impressed upon everyone we’ve been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home,” stated Blinken.

Rohan Mehta for TROIB News