US confirms contact with Syrian rebel group that ousted Assad

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed Saturday that American officials have directly engaged with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian rebel group that led the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad’s governmentthe Syrian rebel group that led the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad’s government.

HTS, long designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., spearheaded the coalition that seized Damascus last Sunday.

“Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties,” Blinken stated during a press conference in Aqaba, Jordan. He declined to elaborate on the discussions but emphasized the need for the U.S. to convey messages regarding the group’s governance during the transition period. “Our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed, and we’re prepared to help them do so.”

HTS, once an affiliate of al-Qaeda, has faced U.S. sanctions since 2018, including a ban on providing material support. However, those restrictions do not legally prevent U.S. officials from engaging in direct communication.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, the HTS leader formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, did not confirm any direct contact with the U.S. in a televised interview Saturday. He noted, however, that the new authorities in Damascus have been in touch with Western embassies. In a video message Friday, al-Sharaa celebrated the “victory of the blessed revolution” and assured Syrians that his group has moved past its extremist roots.

U.S. officials remain cautious about HTS’s intentions despite al-Sharaa’s recent pledges to protect minority and women’s rights. “There is understandable skepticism, but we will continue to monitor their actions closely,” one senior U.S. official noted.

In a gesture welcomed by Washington, HTS facilitated the safe transfer of an American man imprisoned under Assad’s regime to U.S. custody on Friday. Meanwhile, efforts continue to locate Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared near Damascus 12 years ago. “We have impressed upon everyone we’ve been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice and bringing him home,” Blinken said.

The developments signal a pivotal moment in Syria’s political transition as HTS works to establish security and reassure a wary public in the aftermath of Assad’s fall.