Official statements from the U.S. State Department or HTS leadership

US Diplomats Arrive in Damascus, Including Three Senior Officials, to Meet HTS Leaders and Discuss Austin Tice

Dec 20, 2024, 06:52 AM

A diplomatic delegation from the United States has arrived in Damascus to meet with leaders of the newly established Islamist-led government, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This marks the first official visit by U.S. diplomats to Syria in over ten years, following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by an opposition coalition. The delegation, which includes three senior diplomats, is expected to discuss the principles of political transition in Syria and address the issue of missing Americans in the country. The visit is part of broader efforts by the U.S. to engage with the new authorities and encourage a moderate and inclusive governance approach. The State Department confirmed that the talks will focus on the fate of missing U.S. citizens, including journalist Austin Tice, who has been unaccounted for in Syria for several years.