Blinken: US had direct contact with Syrian rebels
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has confirmed that the United States has made contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
On Saturday, December 14, The New York Times reported that Blinken made these comments during a press briefing on the sidelines of a conference in Jordan.
He explained that communication with the group was necessary to manage the situation in Syria.
Blinken did not provide further details on the nature of these contacts.
According to reports, Blinken is the first U.S. official to publicly confirm the contact between the Biden administration and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
It is important to note that the U.S. has designated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham as a terrorist organization since 2018.
In the same briefing, Blinken emphasized the need for cooperation in Syria and reiterated, “We want the people of this country to succeed.”
The confirmation of U.S. contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham marks a significant shift in U.S. policy, especially considering the group’s designation as a terrorist organization. This move signals a pragmatic approach to managing the complex realities of the Syrian conflict.
The ongoing situation in Syria remains fluid, and future diplomatic efforts will likely be critical in shaping the region’s stability. The involvement of controversial groups like HTS complicates international relations, and the focus now will be on ensuring peace and humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people.
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