US Diplomat to Hold First Formal Talks with HTS Leader in Damascus

Dec 19, 2024, 07:36 PM

The United States is set to reengage diplomatically with Syria as Barbara Leaf, the State Department's top diplomat for the Middle East, plans to lead a delegation to Damascus in the coming days. This visit could mark the first formal U.S. contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Leaf is expected to meet with HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who has a $10 million U.S. bounty on him. Discussions are anticipated to focus on Syria's political transition, addressing security concerns, and possibly reevaluating HTS's designation as a terrorist organization. European countries, such as Germany, have recently initiated dialogue with HTS representatives following a recent offensive by the group, signaling a shift in international relations with HTS.