Rewritten Headline: U.S. Secretary of State Affirms Direct Dialogue with Syrian Rebel Group HTS

Rewritten Headline: U.S. Secretary of State Affirms Direct Dialogue with Syrian Rebel Group HTS

Rewritten Description:
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a prominent Syrian insurgent group, has initiated “direct contact” with U.S officials, confirmed by Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State. During a recent press conference in Aqaba, Jordan, Blinken noted not just the engagement with HTS but also with several others. The rebels made headlines earlier this month by ousting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad swiftly.

While Blinken kept the detailed conversation classified, he stressed the urgency of locating Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared around Damascus about twelve years ago. HTS, an Islamist group once aligned with Al-Qaida, has sought a more moderate image. However, they are still labeled as a terrorist organization by the U.S, a classification dating back to May 2018.

During his visit to Jordan to discuss Syria’s forthcoming horizons, Blinken confirmed a mutual consensus to increase support for Syria and its people. Key agreements include the core principle that Syrians should lead changes in their government and that humanitarian aid should be accessible to its citizens. Furthermore, Syria should not be a breeding ground for terrorist activities.

Blinken highlighted that the events happening in Syria have global impacts, ranging from forced migration to terrorism threats. HTS leader, Ahmed al-Shara, was quick to reassure the international community, stating that Syria was cautious against another war and urged reconstruction. Al-Shara argued that for Syria to heal, purging Iranian militias, Hezbollah and the current regime was indispensable.

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