The State Department has confirmed that the designation of a main Syrian rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), as a “foreign terrorist organization” does not bar US officials from speaking with it. The department stated that reviews of such designations are ongoing but do not necessarily prevent discussions between the group’s members and US officials.
According to Matthew Miller, State Department spokesman, there is no specific review related to the recent change in Syrian government. However, if HTS reverses its reasons for designation, a review could be initiated based on its actions. The department emphasized that even with the designation, US officials can engage with HTS and other groups while keeping US interests in mind.
Miller cited the case of the Trump administration’s negotiations with the Taliban over the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, noting that while the Taliban was not designated as a “foreign terrorist organization,” US officials could still communicate with it. The department acknowledged that US officials have the authority to legally communicate with designated terrorist organizations when it serves US interests.
President Joe Biden and Jordan’s King Abdullah II spoke by phone about the situation in Syria, discussing efforts to prevent the Islamic State from exploiting the conflict and joint US-Jordanian cooperation. The call came as Undersecretary of State John Bass and Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf held consultations with key partners in the region.
The US has secured the shuttered US Embassy compound in Damascus and is exploring ways to stabilize Jordan, which has seen over 1 million Syrian refugees since the civil war began in 2011.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/syria-united-states-foreign-terrorist-designation-a75ba4abbdeee56f32110d0dafefa319