{"id":26458,"date":"2024-12-22T00:02:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-21T22:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=26458"},"modified":"2024-12-21T21:15:49","modified_gmt":"2024-12-21T19:15:49","slug":"us-scraps-10-million-reward-for-arrest-of-syrias-new-leader-after-diplomatic-talks-in-damascus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/us-scraps-10-million-reward-for-arrest-of-syrias-new-leader-after-diplomatic-talks-in-damascus\/","title":{"rendered":"US scraps $10 million reward for arrest of Syria\u2019s new leader after diplomatic talks in Damascus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

5 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Biden administration has announced that it will no longer pursue a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Ahmad Al Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad Al Jolani, the leader of the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This decision comes following Al Jolani\u2019s role in the recent ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad<\/mark><\/a> and the first formal U.S. diplomatic delegation visit to Damascus in over a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. delegation, led by Barbara Leaf, the top diplomat for the Middle East, engaged in discussions with al-Sharaa and interim Syrian leaders, focusing on forming an inclusive government and addressing critical regional security concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

HTS, which remains designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S., was initially formed as an offshoot of Al Qaida. However, Al Sharaa\u2019s recent commitments to renounce terrorism and promote minority and women\u2019s rights appear to have shifted the U.S. approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe discussed the critical need to ensure terrorist groups cannot pose a threat inside Syria or externally, including to the U.S. and our partners in the region,\u201d Leaf said during a press briefing from Jordan. \u201cBased on our discussion, I told him that we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice reward offered.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Skepticism over HTS commitments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite this development, skepticism lingers among U.S. officials regarding the authenticity of Al Sharaa\u2019s promises. While his statements about human rights have been cautiously welcomed, the Biden administration is adamant about evaluating future actions rather than relying solely on rhetoric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHe came across as pragmatic,\u201d Leaf noted. \u201cIt was a good first meeting. We will judge by deeds not just by words.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The #WhiteHelmets<\/a> met with US Assistant Secretary of State for NEA Barbara Leaf (@SafiraLeaf<\/a>) and Senior Advisor Daniel Rubinstein to discuss pathways toward a free and pluralistic Syria.

We emphasized the need for regional actors to commit to a coordinated plan supporting\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/DS2exjHOZF<\/a><\/p>— The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) December 20, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote>