The United States has established “direct contact” with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the movement that leads the coalition that has taken power in Syria, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whose country considers the group “terrorist,” AJB reported.
“We have been in contact with HTS and other parties,” Blinken told reporters after talks on Syria in Jordan, Hina reported.
He did not provide further details about the circumstances of those talks, but when asked if the United States had direct contact, he replied: “Direct contact, yes.”
Blinken specified that the contact was part of an effort to locate Austin Tice, an American journalist who was kidnapped in 2012 at the beginning of the Syrian civil war.
“We have emphasized to all parties with whom we have been in contact that it is important to find Austin Tice and bring him home,” he said.
The US is not expected to quickly lift the “terrorist” designation, especially during a political transition before Donald Trump takes office in January.
Blinken was in Aqaba, Jordan, as part of a tour of Jordan, Turkey and Iraq, where he took part in talks that brought together Arab, European and Turkish diplomats.
“We agreed that the transition process must be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned and result in an inclusive and representative government,” he said.
“The rights of all Syrians, including those of minorities and women, must be respected. Humanitarian aid must reach those in need,” he added.
He also said the talks agreed that “state institutions” must continue to provide basic services.
In a joint statement issued later in the evening, the participants stressed “the importance of combating terrorism and extremism” and “the need to prevent any resurgence of terrorist groups.”
