US Confirms Direct Contact with Syria Rebels After Assad’s Fall
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed direct communication with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group now controlling Syria after ousting Bashar al-Assad. This marks a significant shift in US foreign policy, as HTS is still designated a terrorist organization.
Blinken made the announcement during a diplomatic summit in Jordan with representatives from Arab nations, Turkey, and Europe. The discussions centered on ensuring Syria’s peaceful transition and forming an inclusive government that respects minority rights.
The HTS rebel group, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly Abu Mohammed al-Jolani), has declared intentions to form a government free of sectarianism and terrorism.
International Reactions to Syria’s New Chapter
At the Jordan summit, regional leaders emphasized the importance of avoiding the chaos seen in Libya after Gaddafi’s fall. Iraq’s Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stressed the need for preserving and reforming existing Syrian institutions.
Fidan remarked:
“We must coordinate efforts and ensure terrorism does not exploit Syria’s transitional period.”
Despite the regional unity, both Iran and Russia, Assad’s staunch allies during the civil war, were absent from the talks.
Israel’s Air Strikes Amid Syria’s Political Transition
While the US reached out diplomatically to HTS, Israel continued its air strikes in Syria, targeting “strategic threats.” These actions have drawn regional condemnation, adding complexity to Syria’s evolving geopolitical landscape.
HTS and Its Path to Inclusiveness
Originally founded as Jabhat al-Nusra, an al-Qaeda affiliate, HTS remains listed as a terrorist organization by the US and other global powers. However, leader Ahmed al-Sharaa has distanced HTS from its jihadist past, promoting inclusiveness and rejecting violence.
HTS has appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as interim prime minister. The international community now watches cautiously as Syria transitions from the Assad family’s half-century rule.
The Long Shadow of Syria’s Civil War
Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia on December 8, ending a 24-year rule that spanned a brutal 13-year civil war. The conflict claimed over 500,000 lives, displaced millions, and entangled global powers in proxy battles.
Blinken’s announcement included updates on missing American journalist Austin Tice, for whom HTS may hold vital information.
The road ahead for Syria requires unity among emerging political factions and support from the international community to build sustainable peace.
- External Link: Learn more about the Syria transition on BBC.
- Internal Link: Explore other geopolitical updates on Kenkou Land.
