US confirms it has established ‘direct contact’ with Syrian insurgent group

The US has established “direct contacts” with the Syrian insurgent group HTS, which led the offensive that toppled the Syrian regime. the Assad regimeSecretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned.

That is the primary acknowledgment of direct U.S. contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which the USA nonetheless considers a terrorist group.

Blinken was talking in Jordan after conferences with representatives from a number of Arab international locations, Turkey and Europe to debate the way forward for Syria.

The officers agreed to assist a peaceable transition course of within the nation. Jordanian Overseas Minister Ayman Safadi mentioned regional powers didn’t need Syria to “descend into chaos”.

A joint assertion requires an inclusive Syrian authorities that respects the rights of minorities and doesn’t present a base for “terrorist teams.”

Following the tumultuous occasions of latest weeks, each inside and out of doors Syria, discussions centered on the very important significance of building new governance that represents all Syrians.

On the assembly in Jordan, Iraqi Overseas Minister Fouad Hussein expressed concern about Syria’s shared future within the Center East and past.

He mentioned regional gamers didn’t wish to see one other Libya – referring to the chaos that adopted Colonel Gaddafi’s elimination from energy.

Turkish Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan mentioned present Syrian establishments have to be preserved and reformed.

“By no means let terrorism benefit from the transition interval. And we should coordinate our efforts and study from previous errors,” Fidan mentioned, in accordance with the Reuters information company.

Probably the most highly effective insurgent group, HTS, has indicated it seeks an inclusive authorities. However the group’s violent jihadist previous leaves some doubting its capacity to maintain its guarantees.

Blinken mentioned Washington was in direct contact with HTS, notably over the destiny of long-missing US journalist Austin Tice.

“We’ve got been in touch with HTS and different events,” Blinken informed reporters in Jordan.

No Syrian representatives have been current on the talks in Jordan. Overseas ministers from eight Arab international locations on the assembly mentioned they wished to make sure Syria was unified and never divided alongside sectarian strains.

Additionally absent have been the 2 international locations that gave Assad the monetary assist that allowed him to outlive so lengthy in energy: Iran and Russia.

The shadow of all of the exterior forces that fought for Syria for therefore lengthy weighs closely on the nation’s future.

The rising political entities in Syria will want cohesion not solely contained in the nation but additionally outdoors, if the Syrian individuals are to actually hope to construct on the intoxicating style of freedom they’ve. identified final week.