US diplomats hold landmark talks with Syria’s new leadership

Top U.S. diplomats arrived in Damascus on Friday to meet with the new Syrian authorities, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), marking the first official engagement between Washington and Syria’s de-facto new rulers.

The delegation, including State Department’s top Middle East diplomat Barbara Leaf, Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens, and Senior Adviser Daniel Rubinstein, traveled to Syria following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by Syrian opposition militias.

This significant visit comes amid growing Western discussions regarding HTS, which has gained control in the wake of Assad’s downfall. These discussions include whether to lift the terrorist designation imposed on the group. The U.S. officials’ travel follows recent contacts with France and Britain, signaling a shift in diplomatic approaches towards Syria’s new political landscape.

During the visit, the U.S. delegation will meet with HTS representatives to discuss key principles, including inclusivity and minority rights, for Syria’s political transition. They also plan to gather information on U.S. journalist Austin Tice, who has been missing since 2012, and other Americans who disappeared during Assad’s regime.

The U.S. officials aim to engage directly with Syrian civil society members, activists, and diverse community representatives to discuss their vision for Syria’s future. “They will be engaging directly with the Syrian people, including members of civil society, activists, members of different communities, and other Syrian voices about their vision for the future of their country and how the United States can help support them,” said a State Department spokesperson.

This meeting also comes as the United States grapples with the aftermath of the December 8 seizure of Damascus by Syrian rebels, forcing Assad to flee after over 13 years of civil war. This change of power has raised concerns about a potential chaotic transition, with forces under HTS commander Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammed al-Jolani) now in control. The new government is focused on a three-month transitional period, primarily operating from the northwestern Idlib province.

The U.S. has long labeled al-Sharaa a terrorist, primarily due to his ties with al-Qaeda in Iraq and his involvement in violent actions under the Nusra Front, the precursor to HTS. Despite this, U.S. President Joe Biden has called Assad’s overthrow a historic opportunity for the Syrian people, though he cautioned that Syria faces a period of uncertainty and risk.

The U.S. is also concerned about the potential resurgence of ISIS and tensions in northeastern Syria, where clashes between Turkey-backed rebels and U.S.-allied Kurdish militias could destabilize the region further.