US diplomats in Syria to meet with new HTS authorities

The American diplomats are in Damascus, the Syrian capital, where they are scheduled to meet with representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group that is now in charge but that Washington still designates as a terrorist organization.

The visit follows those of delegations in recent days from the UN and other countries, including the United Kingdom, France and Germany.

This is the first formal American diplomatic appearance in Damascus in more than a decade.

It is one more sign of the dramatic changes taking place in Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime more than a week ago, and of the speed of the efforts of the United States and Europe, also relying on Arab countries. , to try to influence its emerging governance.

The delegation of senior officials includes Deputy Secretary of State Barbara Leaf, Roger Carstens, US President Joe Biden’s hostage envoy, and Daniel Rubinstein, senior adviser to the Office of Near Eastern Affairs.

“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 them,” one State said. The department spokesperson said in a statement.

They plan to meet with HTS representatives, in a show of willingness to deal with the group that the United States still designates as a terrorist organization, but putting pressure on it to transition to an inclusive, nonsectarian government.

In practice, Washington is setting a number of conditions before considering delisting the group, a critical step that could help smooth the path toward sanctions relief that Damascus desperately needs.

Officials are seeking more information to help find American journalist Austin Tice, kidnapped in Damascus in 2012.