US Engages Directly with Syrian Rebels Post-Assad, Blinken Confirms

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that American officials have been in direct contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian rebel group that recently ousted President Bashar Assad. Despite HTS being designated a foreign terrorist organization, the U.S. is engaging with them to discuss governance during Syria's transition period. Blinken emphasized the U.S. support for the Syrian people's success and highlighted ongoing efforts to locate missing American journalist Austin Tice.