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Top diplomats from the Biden administration made their way to Damascus on Friday to engage with the new authorities in Syria, specifically those aligned with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). This gathering marks an unprecedented in-person meeting between the United States and the current leaders of Syria, according to a spokesperson from the State Department.
A focus of the discussions will be to gather information regarding the ongoing search for American journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing since his abduction in Syria in August 2012.
The delegation includes Barbara Leaf, the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, former Syria special envoy Daniel Rubinstein, and Roger Carstens, the chief U.S. envoy responsible for hostage negotiations. This marks the first visit by U.S. diplomats to Syria since opposition forces successfully ousted President Bashar al-Assad.
This visit coincides with a shift among Western nations, which are beginning to establish communication channels with HTS and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. There is ongoing debate within these governments regarding the potential removal of HTS’s designation as a terrorist organization. Notably, the U.S. diplomatic efforts follow recent discussions with representatives from France and Britain.
During their meetings, U.S. officials intend to address key principles that they believe should shape Syria’s political transition, emphasizing inclusivity and the protection of minority rights, as articulated by the State Department spokesperson.
Search for Missing Journalist
In addition to discussing transition principles, the U.S. delegation aims to secure updates on Tice’s status and other American citizens who have disappeared during the Assad regime’s tumultuous reign.
The spokesperson noted that the U.S. officials will engage with a diverse range of voices from Syrian society, including civil society representatives, activists, and community members, to better understand their aspirations for the future of Syria and how the U.S. can assist in this process.
Plans are also in place to meet with HTS representatives to review transition principles previously supported by the U.S. and regional allies during talks in Aqaba, Jordan.
The United States severed diplomatic relations with Syria and closed its embassy in 2012 amid civil unrest desperate enough to see the rise of various opposition groups.
In a major shift in the Middle East dynamic, Syrian rebels took control of Damascus on December 8, forcing the long-entrenched Assad to abandon his post following over 13 years of civil conflict, which cast a long shadow over his family’s rule.
U.S. Terror Designation
Under Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed Al-Golani, the transitional government formed after the rebel takeover has sought to govern the Idlib province, which was previously a stronghold of anti-Assad forces. In 2013, the U.S. labeled Al-Sharaa a terrorist, citing his alleged links to al-Qaeda in Iraq and his purported objectives to implement sharia law in Syria. This designation was largely based on the Nusra Front’s history of violent actions, including suicide bombings that targeted civilians.
President Joe Biden and his administration have characterized the fall of Assad’s regime as a pivotal moment in the quest for freedom for the Syrian populace. However, they have cautioned that the path following this upheaval could be fraught with challenges and instability.
Moreover, U.S. officials remain vigilant regarding the potential resurgence of extremist groups like ISIS and are particularly wary of potential conflicts between Turkey-backed rebel factions and Kurdish forces aligned with the U.S. in northeastern Syria.
Source
www.cbc.ca