US Scraps $10 Million Bounty For Syria’s New Leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The United States has withdrawn a $10 million (£7.9 million) reward for the arrest of Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new de facto leader of Syria, following productive discussions between senior American diplomats and representatives of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf, part of the delegation that met with Sharaa in Damascus, described him as “pragmatic” and characterised the talks as “very productive.” The US still designates HTS as a terrorist organisation, but the meeting marks a significant step in Washington’s approach to the group, which recently overthrew the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
The discussions centred on “transition principles” supported by the US, regional stability, and the ongoing fight against IS. Additionally, American officials sought information on citizens who disappeared under Assad’s rule, including journalist Austin Tice, missing since 2012, and psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz, who vanished in 2017.
This visit is the first formal American diplomatic mission to Damascus in over a decade and reflects the rapid shifts in Syria’s political landscape since Assad’s ousting. The delegation, led by Barbara Leaf, also included Roger Carstens, the US hostage envoy, and Daniel Rubinstein, a senior adviser in the Bureau of Near East Affairs.
Building Conditions for Change
The US delegation engaged with civil society groups and various communities in Syria to understand their vision for the country’s future and how Washington could support them. This effort underscores a potential shift in the US stance toward HTS, pressuring the group to transition into an inclusive, non-sectarian government.
Though HTS remains listed as a terrorist organisation, the US is effectively outlining conditions for its potential delisting. This move is seen as critical for easing sanctions and addressing Syria’s urgent need for economic relief.
Continued Fight Against IS
In a related development, US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the death of IS leader Abu Yusif and two operatives in an airstrike in Syria’s Deir al-Zour province. The strike, launched on Thursday, targeted a region formerly under Assad’s control and supported by Russian forces.
CENTCOM commander General Michael Erik Kurilla reiterated the US’s commitment to preventing IS from taking advantage of Syria’s current situation. “The group intends to free more than 8,000 detained IS militants held in Syria, and we will not allow this to happen,” he stated.
International Engagement
The US visit follows similar diplomatic efforts by the UN and delegations from the UK, France, and Germany. These missions highlight growing international interest in shaping Syria’s governance post-Assad.
The rapid political changes in Syria have created an opportunity for dialogue and reform, but significant challenges remain in securing stability and addressing the country’s humanitarian needs. The US’s engagement with Sharaa signals a cautious but notable shift in its approach to Syria’s complex political reality.
