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US Cancels $10M Bounty on HTS Leader Al-Sharaa After Anti-Terror Pledge

Dec 20, 2024, 06:24 PM

The United States has canceled the $10 million bounty on Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the leader of the Syrian group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and considered by some as the de facto leader of Syria. US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, announced the decision on December 20 after meeting with al-Sharaa in Damascus. During the meeting, which focused on Syria's political transition, al-Sharaa pledged not to allow terrorist organizations to operate in Syria or threaten the United States. The US had previously offered the reward for information leading to his capture.