US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Saturday that the United States has had direct contact with the rebel faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad’s government.
“Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties,” Blinken said, adding that “our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and we’re prepared to help them do so.”
Speaking after meeting with the foreign ministers of the Arab nations and Turkey in Jordan, Blinken stated that a joint communique had been agreed upon, outlining the principles that other nations wish to see followed in Syria’s political transition, including inclusivity and respect for minorities.
Meanwhile, amid its role in the Syrian conflict, HTS is designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States and other countries.
Five decades of rule by Assad’s family ended on Sunday when he fled to Moscow, where the government granted him asylum. Iran had backed Assad in Syria’s long civil war and his overthrow was widely seen as a major blow to the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance”, a political and military alliance that opposes Israeli and US influence in the Middle East.
(With Inputs from Reuters)
Why should you buy our Subscription?
You want to be the smartest in the room.
You want access to our award-winning journalism.
You don’t want to be misled and misinformed.
Choose your subscription package
