The Biden administration has advised the rebel faction responsible for the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against assuming immediate control of the country. Instead, it has encouraged them to engage in an inclusive process to establish a transitional government, as reported by two U.S. officials and a congressional aide familiar with the initial U.S. interactions with the group.

These communications with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which was previously allied with al-Qaeda and is classified as a terrorist organization by the United States, are being coordinated with Washington’s Middle Eastern allies, including Turkey.

Additionally, the administration is in discussions with President-elect Donald Trump’s team regarding this issue, according to one of the officials.

These talks, which have occurred over the past few days, are part of a broader initiative by Washington to collaborate with various factions within Syria as it seeks to manage the tumultuous aftermath of the abrupt fall of the Assad regime on Sunday. An official, who requested anonymity, indicated that the U.S. has communicated with the group to assist in the early stages of establishing a formal governance framework for the nation.

The sources did not specify whether these communications were direct or facilitated through an intermediary. Washington maintains that the transitional government should reflect the will of the Syrian populace and will not endorse HTS taking control without a structured process for selecting new leadership, the officials noted. The U.S. National Security Council has refrained from commenting on the matter.

TERRORIST DESIGNATION

In 2013, the United States designated Ahmed al-Sharaa, commonly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, as a terrorist leader of HTS. The U.S. government stated that al Qaeda in Iraq had assigned him the mission of toppling Assad’s regime and implementing Islamic sharia law in Syria. It also noted that the Nusra Front, HTS’s predecessor, was responsible for suicide bombings that resulted in civilian casualties and promoted a violent sectarian agenda.

An official indicated that the administration remains uncertain about Golani’s potential role in a future Syrian government and whether he continues to hold extremist beliefs. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken outlined criteria for Syria’s political transition, emphasizing that Washington would support a future government that is credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian.

Some lawmakers are advocating for the administration to consider lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria, including those specifically targeting HTS, contingent upon the group meeting certain U.S. conditions, according to a congressional aide who spoke to Reuters.

The aide mentioned a growing sentiment among certain congressional members that the U.S. should assist a transitional government in Syria in establishing connections with the global economy and facilitating the country’s reconstruction, as current sanctions hinder these efforts. Additionally, Washington is maintaining communication with HTS and other local entities regarding military operations, as noted by one official.

Senior U.S. officials have consistently affirmed their commitment to ongoing military actions in northeastern Syria against ISIS to prevent the resurgence of this radical extremist group, especially in light of the existing power vacuum. U.S. forces will also continue to counter the advances of Iranian-backed proxy groups, according to one official.