US has ‘direct contact’ with jihadists in Damascus, says Blinken
According to Antony Blinken, the US has been in communication with the Islamist group HTS that played a role in toppling Syria's Bashar Assad. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Last week, opposition groups primarily composed of Islamists from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) took control in Syria.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has revealed that Washington is maintaining direct communication with the al-Qaeda-linked Islamist group that played a key role in toppling President Bashar Assad's government.
HTS led a loose coalition of armed opposition factions that captured Damascus on December 8, leading to Assad's exile in Russia. The group was formed through the merger of various jihadist organizations, including Al-Nusra Front, which is a branch of al-Qaeda in Syria. The leader of HTS, Ahmed al-Shaara, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, previously commanded Al-Nusra.
The US government designates HTS as a terrorist organization and has placed a $10 million bounty on al-Julani’s capture.
During a press conference in Aqaba, Jordan, Blinken confirmed the contacts with HTS. When asked if the US had communicated with the group currently governing Damascus, he responded, “Yes, we’ve been in contact with HTS and with other parties.” He further elaborated, “That’s direct contact, yes.”
Blinken reiterated Washington's hope that the new government will “produce an inclusive and representative government,” emphasizing the need for “the rights of all Syrians – including minorities and women – to be respected.”
He also urged all factions to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations, acknowledging the critical role played by American-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in that endeavor.
Al-Julani has attempted to recast his group as a more moderate entity, asserting that his beliefs have evolved. During the rapid offensive against the government army, he pledged to safeguard Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians and Kurds. However, several alarming videos have surfaced online depicting various anti-Assad groups executing prisoners of war and civilians.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has revealed that Washington is maintaining direct communication with the al-Qaeda-linked Islamist group that played a key role in toppling President Bashar Assad's government.
HTS led a loose coalition of armed opposition factions that captured Damascus on December 8, leading to Assad's exile in Russia. The group was formed through the merger of various jihadist organizations, including Al-Nusra Front, which is a branch of al-Qaeda in Syria. The leader of HTS, Ahmed al-Shaara, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, previously commanded Al-Nusra.
The US government designates HTS as a terrorist organization and has placed a $10 million bounty on al-Julani’s capture.
During a press conference in Aqaba, Jordan, Blinken confirmed the contacts with HTS. When asked if the US had communicated with the group currently governing Damascus, he responded, “Yes, we’ve been in contact with HTS and with other parties.” He further elaborated, “That’s direct contact, yes.”
Blinken reiterated Washington's hope that the new government will “produce an inclusive and representative government,” emphasizing the need for “the rights of all Syrians – including minorities and women – to be respected.”
He also urged all factions to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State and other terrorist organizations, acknowledging the critical role played by American-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in that endeavor.
Al-Julani has attempted to recast his group as a more moderate entity, asserting that his beliefs have evolved. During the rapid offensive against the government army, he pledged to safeguard Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities, including Christians and Kurds. However, several alarming videos have surfaced online depicting various anti-Assad groups executing prisoners of war and civilians.
Sanya Singh contributed to this report for TROIB News
