The USA has made “direct contact” with Syria’s victorious Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels regardless of designating the group as terrorists, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated Saturday, as he sought worldwide unity on a peaceable transition.
“We have been involved with HTS and with different events,” Blinken advised reporters after talks on Syria within the Jordanian Purple Sea resort of Aqaba.
He didn’t give particulars on how the contact came about however when requested if the USA reached out straight, he stated: “Direct contact — sure.”
Blinken stated that the contact was partly associated to the seek for Austin Tice, the US journalist who was kidnapped in 2012 close to the beginning of the brutal civil conflict.
“We have now pressed upon everybody we have been involved with the significance of serving to discover Austin Tice and bringing him dwelling,” Blinken stated.
He stated that within the dialogue with HTS the USA additionally “shared the rules” on Syria that he has publicly laid out.
– ‘Inclusive and consultant’ –
Blinken was closing a regional tour wherein he has sought widespread floor after HTS overthrew Bashar al-Assad, whose household dominated with an iron fist for half a century.
In Aqaba, Blinken took half in talks that introduced collectively prime Arab and European diplomats in addition to Turkey, the principle supporter of insurgent teams in Syria.
Blinken stated the talks would concern a joint assertion wherein “we agreed that the transition course of must be Syrian-led and Syrian-owned and produce an inclusive and consultant authorities”.
“The rights of all Syrians, together with minorities and ladies, must be revered. Humanitarian help ought to be capable to attain individuals who want it,” Blinken stated.
Blinken stated that the talks additionally agreed that “state establishments” ought to proceed to ship important providers.
UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen earlier advised Blinken: “We have to make it possible for state establishments don’t collapse, and that we get in humanitarian help as rapidly as potential.”
– Terror designation –
The USA and different Western governments classify HTS as a terrorist group attributable to its roots in Al-Qaeda’s Syria department.
The designation severely impedes actions of companies and help staff who danger falling foul of US legislation enforcement if they’re seen as straight supporting a terrorist group.
Since seizing energy final weekend, insurgent chief Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has spoken in conciliatory phrases about making peace with the broad spectrum of Syrian society.
Some analysts notice that HTS has not centered on US or different Western targets.
Few count on a fast transfer by the USA to carry the terrorist designation, particularly with a political transition set subsequent month following Donald Trump’s victory within the presidential election.
In Britain, a senior minister stated that the federal government would resolve rapidly whether or not to take away the terrorist designation however Prime Minister Keir Starmer walked again the feedback, saying it was nonetheless “far too early” to take action.
Blinken stated that he discovered hope on the street celebrations in Syrian cities in current days.
“Nobody has any illusions about how difficult this time shall be, however there’s additionally one thing extremely highly effective — the Syrian folks decided to interrupt with the previous and form a greater future,” he stated.
He additionally hailed the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces for elevating the brand new “independence” flag of the rebels, after for years flying their very own flag as they achieved restricted self-rule.
Blinken stated it was for Syrians to resolve the best way to incorporate Kurds within the nation however he hailed SDF fighters — who’re bitterly opposed by Turkey — for his or her position in preventing the Islamic State group.
