US secretary of state Antony Blinken confirmed on Saturday that American officials have been in direct communication with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian rebel group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US since 2018.
“We’ve been in contact with HTS and with other parties,” Blinken told reporters.
HTS recently led a coalition of armed groups that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad’s government last Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference in Aqaba, Jordan, Blinken said, “Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties.” He, however, did not provide details about the discussions but mentioned the importance of conveying messages to HTS about its conduct and governance during the transition. Blinken added, “Our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and we’re prepared to help them do so.”
HTS, previously affiliated with al-Qaida, is under sanctions that prohibit material support to the group. However, US officials are not legally barred from communicating with designated groups.
The group’s leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, in an interview did not confirm direct contact with the US but said that the new authorities in Damascus are in touch with Western embassies. HTS has taken steps to establish security and begin a political transition in the aftermath of Assad’s removal.
Al-Sharaa congratulated Syrians on “the victory of the blessed revolution” in a video message on Friday. Rebel leaders have said that HTS has distanced itself from its extremist past, though US officials remain cautious about its future actions, including promises to protect minority and women’s rights.
Meanwhile, US officials worked with the rebels and Syria’s unarmed opposition to secure the safe release of an American man previously imprisoned by Assad’s regime. Efforts to locate Austin Tice, an American journalist missing for 12 years near Damascus, are ongoing.
“We have impressed upon everyone we’ve been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home,” Blinken said.