WASHINGTON — US diplomats are in Damascus, Syria, to meet with representatives from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group currently in command but still designated as a terrorist organization by Washington. The visit follows the recent arrival of delegations from the United Nations and other countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. This is the first formal American diplomatic visit to Damascus in almost a decade.
It is another sign of the tremendous developments taking place in Syria since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s administration more than a week ago, as well as the speed with which the US and Europe, with support from Arab countries, are attempting to influence its nascent governance.
The delegation of senior officials includes Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf, Roger Carstens, US President Joe Biden’s hostage envoy, and Daniel Rubinstein, senior counsel in the Bureau of Near East 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 support them,” the State Department’s spokesperson said in a statement.
They intend to meet with HTS representatives to demonstrate their willingness to negotiate with the group, which the US still considers a terrorist organization, while also increasing pressure on it to change to inclusive, non-sectarian governance.
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