Official announcements from the U.S. Department of State or U.S. Treasury

U.S. Confirms Direct Contact with Syrian Rebel Group HTS, Discusses Austin Tice Case and Assad's Ouster

Dec 14, 2024, 03:57 PM

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that the United States has been in direct contact with the Syrian Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a significant role in the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad. This marks the first time the U.S. has acknowledged such direct communication with HTS, which has been designated a terrorist organization since 2018 due to its links with Al-Qaeda. Blinken stated that the discussions primarily focused on efforts to locate American journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria, and emphasized U.S. principles regarding the recognition of a future Syrian government. The U.S. is also considering potential sanctions against HTS based on its actions. Blinken made these remarks while concluding a Middle East trip aimed at addressing the aftermath of Assad's regime.