US scraps $10m bounty for Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa after 'productive talks'

#syria #usa

United States has removed its $10 million bounty for the capture of Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader, following productive talks with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The discussions, led by US Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf, were described as "very productive," with Leaf praising Sharaa as a "pragmatic" leader. The US delegation, which included senior officials like hostage envoy Roger Carstens, visited Damascus after HTS seized control of the capital, marking a major shift in Syria’s political landscape.

While the US still classifies HTS as a terrorist group, the talks focused on the "transition principles" for Syria’s governance post-Assad and the necessity of collaboration against Daesh. Additionally, the US delegation sought information on missing American citizens, including journalist Austin Tice and psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz, who disappeared under Assad’s regime.

This visit is notable as the first formal US diplomatic engagement in Damascus in over a decade, highlighting changing dynamics in Syria’s post-Assad governance. The US is urging HTS to transition into an inclusive, non-sectarian government, setting the groundwork for possible sanctions relief.

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