Syrian people in Damascus went out to celebrate following the call of the HTS organization on December 20
Sheet The Guardian On December 21, it was reported that the US lifted the $10 million reward for Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) opposition military force in Syria, after the first direct meeting between diplomats. US diplomats and HTS leaders.
Ms. Barbara Leaf, senior diplomat at the US State Department in charge of the Middle East, said Mr. al-Sharaa gave assurances during a meeting in Damascus that the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) and its Other terrorist groups will not be allowed to operate on Syrian territory.
The US doubled its troops stationed in Syria
Ms. Leaf said the US delegation informed Mr. al-Sharaa, formerly known by the alias Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, that Washington would no longer offer a $10 million reward for his capture. The diplomat said the bonus would complicate efforts to negotiate with the HTS leader.
“It’s a policy decision … consistent with the fact that we’re starting discussions with HTS,” she said.
Accompanying Ms. Leaf to Damascus (Syria) were Mr. Roger Carstens, special presidential envoy in charge of hostage issues, and Mr. Daniel Rubinstein, a senior advisor assigned to handle the relationship between the US and new forces. running Syria.
Leaf said the fall of Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s ousted president, should mark the end of Iran’s influence in Syria.
Mr. Ahmed al-Sharaa (right) during a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen on December 15
Diplomats have raised questions about the whereabouts of American journalist Austin Tice who disappeared in Syria in 2012, as well as Syrian-American psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz and other American citizens who went missing during the period. when Mr. al-Assad was in power. The US has not had diplomatic relations with Syria since closing its embassy in 2012.
Another issue discussed in Damascus was the future of Syria’s Kurds, who have long been US allies in the fight against IS in the region.
After meeting with the US delegation, according to AFP, the Syrian interim government issued a statement saying the country wanted to contribute to “regional peace”.
“The Syrian side said the Syrian people keep an equal distance from all countries and parties in the region and Syria opposes any polarization,” the statement said.
The statement said the new administration wants to “affirm Syria’s role in promoting regional peace and building privileged strategic partnerships with countries in the region”.
The US side said the meeting was “very effective”. Ms Leaf said “it was a good first meeting” and “we will judge by actions, not just words”.
