Fri Dec 20 06:09:58 UTC 2024: ## US Sends First Diplomatic Mission to Syria Since Assad’s Ouster

**Damascus, Syria –** In a significant diplomatic move, the United States has dispatched its first formal delegation to Damascus since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. The mission aims to engage with the new Islamist rulers of Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), following the surprise ouster of Bashar al-Assad earlier this month.

The US delegation, led by top State Department officials Barbara Leaf and Daniel Rubinstein, includes Roger Carstens, the special envoy for hostage affairs, who is seeking information on missing Americans, including journalist Austin Tice. They will meet with HTS representatives, as well as activists and representatives from minority groups to discuss the future of Syria and potential US support.

This engagement comes despite HTS’s designation as a terrorist organization by the US. The group’s leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has recently adopted a more conciliatory tone, advocating for Syrian unity and minority protection. However, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has cautioned that it is too early to assess Jolani’s sincerity, emphasizing that any sanctions relief would depend on HTS’s actions.

The visit follows a week of international efforts to address Syria’s future, including a joint call from Western and Arab powers for an inclusive government. Other countries have also taken steps to re-engage with Syria, including France reopening its embassy in Damascus.

The US mission’s success remains uncertain, particularly given the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has expressed reservations about significant US involvement in Syria and characterized Assad’s fall as an unfriendly takeover by Turkey. The situation is further complicated by the US’s long-standing alliance with Syrian Kurdish fighters against the Islamic State group, which contrasts with Turkey’s support for HTS. Despite the challenges, the US hopes to encourage a more moderate and inclusive path forward for the war-torn nation.

Read More