U.S. Removes Bounty on Syrian Rebel Leader Following High-Level Meeting in Damascus
The United States has decided to remove the long-standing $10 million bounty on Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a rebel group that played a significant role in the offensive against Bashar Assad's forces. This decision follows a high-level meeting between U.S. officials and al-Jolani in Damascus, which was the first formal mission to Syria's capital by U.S. diplomats since the early days of the civil war.
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The meeting, which included discussions about counter-terrorism efforts, was part of a broader U.S. strategy to engage with Syria's transitional government. U.S. diplomats, including Barbara Leaf, the top diplomat for the Middle East, emphasized the need for Syria to contribute to regional peace and combat terrorist groups within its borders. Al-Jolani committed to these principles, which led to the U.S. scrapping the bounty offer.The removal of the bounty is seen as a significant shift in U.S. policy towards Syria. It reflects a willingness to engage with groups that have been designated as terrorist organizations if they demonstrate a commitment to counter-terrorism and regional stability. This move is also part of a broader effort to support the interim authorities in Syria and address ongoing humanitarian and security concerns in the region.