US and UK Confirm Direct Contact with Syrian Rebel HTS, a Designated Terrorist Group

Dec 15, 2024, 02:19 AM

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Jordan, has confirmed that the United States has been in direct contact with the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Blinken is the first US official to publicly acknowledge such contact with HTS, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the US. He stated that the communications aim to discuss the case of missing American journalist Austin Tice and to stress US principles for recognizing a future Syrian government. Blinken declined to specify who within the US government is the primary contact with HTS. Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that Britain has also had diplomatic contact with HTS, signaling international efforts to engage with Syria's new leadership following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad's government.