The US has initiated direct communication with the Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, now leading Syria after Bashar al-Assad’s regime fall. According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, this move marks a potential path for easing sanctions on Syria.
Blinken stated that HTS was classified as a terror organization by the US, amidst the transition period following Assad’s departure. The US has expressed willingness to relax sanctions if Syria meets its goals set out by American authorities.
The development comes as Blinken concluded his Middle East trip, focusing on post-Assad Syria’s future trajectory.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-14/us-spoke-directly-with-syria-s-rebel-government-blinken-says