US has direct contact with Syrian rebel group, Blinken says
Photo: Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State (Getty Images)
The United States government maintained contact with the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The group, which led the anti-government forces in Syria, successfully overthrew President Bashar al-Assad's regime, according to the US State Department.
Speaking at the event, Blinken noted that the US and its allies are "deeply interested in helping the Syrian people chart this new path."
When journalists asked if the US had direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Blinken confirmed it and clarified that the communication was direct.
"Yes, we’ve been in contact with HTS and with other parties. We have impressed upon everyone we’ve been in contact with the importance of helping find Austin Tice (a freelance American journalist and US Marine Corps veteran who was abducted in Syria in August 2012 -ed.) and bringing him home," Blinken said.
He added that the US shared principles "for our ongoing support – principles, again, that have now been adopted by countries throughout the region and well beyond."
Addressing the situation in Syria, Blinken highlighted that ISIS and other terrorist groups remain active in the country. He warned they aim to exploit the current period of uncertainty to regain their foothold.
"No one understands these challenges better than Syrian people themselves. And Syrians know they are going to need support from their neighbors and from the international community to meet these challenges," the US Secretary of State said.
Notable, Syrian rebel leaders claim they have severed ties with their extremist and jihadist past. However, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is still designated as a terrorist organization by the US and European countries due to its previous affiliation with al-Qaeda.
Following the recent overthrow of Assad’s regime, HTS rebels are now working to establish security and initiate a political transition in Syria.
