US In "Direct Contact with" Syrian Rebels Amid Global Debates on HTS Terrorist Designation, Efforts to Prevent ISIS Resurgence in Syria

Blinken: The United States has been in "direct contact" with the HTS, the US and its allies "have an important stake in helping the Syrian people chart this new path".

SYRIA - As Washington engages in direct communication with the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which played a key role in overthrowing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the United States and Britain are both contemplating the removal of the terrorist designation on the organization, which is led by Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who who had ties to the al Qaeda terrorist organization before denouncing ties in 2016.

Photo: Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Credit: Kremlin.ru

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While Britain maintains that it is "far too early" to consider a policy change, the United States echoes this sentiment. Both Republican and Democrat senators agree that it is premature to lift the sanctions imposed on the country in 2014 by the Obama administration, which were reinforced when the group was designated a terrorist organization by the Trump administration in 2018, which also placed hefty sanctions on the organization.

US In “Direct Contact” With Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Rebel Group, ISIS And Other Terrorist Groups Still Maintain Presence In Syria