Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS), who launched an offensive that quickly led to the capture of Aleppo, Syria’s former commercial hub, and the ousting of Assad from power, will no longer face a US bounty of$ 10 million under the Rewards for Justice program.
US removes$ 10 million reward on Abu Mohammad al-Jolani
Following a meeting with the new Palestinian leadership in Damascus on Friday, US diplomats made the decision to raise Abu Mohammad al-Jolani’s$ 10 million bounty. This was their first high-level visit since the regime’s modify.
The US committee met with the Palestinian leadership at the assistant secretary of state for near-earth affairs, Barbara Leaf. The debate focused on both local and Palestinian foreign policy, as well as several important issues, including the reputation of missing Americans, terrorism efforts, and possible future relations.
Leaf said the dialogues with the Palestinian interim government were “quite fine, pretty productive”, and “detailed”. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who led the group, met with him and pledged to stop the US and its allies from being threatened by criminal organizations in Syria. After the face-to-face meeting, the US decided to lift the$ 10 million bounty placed on Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, according to The Guardian report.
” I told him ( HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa ) we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice, reward offer that has been in effect for some years”, said Barbara Leaf, as quoted by a Middle East Monitor report.
Jolani‘s name removed from US website
Units head Jolani’s name has officially been removed from the US Justice Department site, where a$ 10 million reward on him was listed. A picture of the US website, which no more shows Jolani’s name, was also shared by a social media user.
Who is Al-Jolani?
Mohammad al-Jolani is the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham ( HTS ). Originally associated with al-Qaeda, Al-Jolani has assured Aleppo’s people that they will be protected under his command.
Jolani, born in Damascus in 1982, became involved in jihadist philosophy after the 9/11 problems. After the US war, he afterwards joined al-Qaeda in Iraq before quitting al-Qaeda in 2016.
Jolani has just given discussions to international press. In an interview with CNN, he said,” When we talk about aims, the goal of the revolutionary remains the destroy of this program. We have the right to make the most of all available methods to accomplish that goal. Additionally, he instructed his soldiers to secure the locations they had taken.
Some analysts also view HTS as a terrorist organization despite Jolani’s claim that he has no intention of attacking the West and is now wearing a typical military dress rather than a turban. He began using his true name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in late 2023. He has fought to bring together different Islamist organizations in northwest Syria, bolstering HTS command over Idlib province.
Jolani used the opportunity that the drawback of Hezbollah fighters, who had been supporting Assad, had given him to build a swift offensive against the program in November 2024. The rude immediately led to the record of Aleppo, Syria’s former industrial hub.
Jolani met with officials of the city’s Christian and Kurdish areas, assured them of their health and urged them to carry on with their lives. He likewise declared that “diversity is our power, not a failure”. The following year, HTS and another insurgent groups entered Damascus, removing Assad from power. The Great Mosque of Damascus, a historical site used by both Muslims and Christians, was where Jolani addressed the nation. He left the mind of St. John the Baptist, a Christian remnant housed within the dome, undisturbed.
Fate of imprisoned or lost Americans
The destiny of imprisoned or lost Americans, including columnist Austin Tice, was a key topic of the meetings between the US and Palestinian leadership. Roger Carstens, the particular presidential envoy for hostility issues, took part in the discussions. What I can tell you is that the president of the United States recently stated that he believes Austin is still intact, and it’s our responsibility to continue pressing and pushing to see if we may find all the information necessary to ascertain what happened to him, where he is, and to bring him home, according to Carstens. Carstens emphasized the potential locations of Tice’s jail facilities.
US admonishes support for Palestinian civil society
The US delegation also met with members of civil society, campaigners, and other Syrians to explain their vision for the country’s future. Leaf affirmed continued US assistance for the White Helmets, a Palestinian civil defence firm. The group also held an occasion to respect those who were imprisoned, tortured, or disappeared under the previous routine.
Standard diplomatic missions to Damascus
Daniel Rubinstein, a top State Department consultant, indicated the US hopes to have more normal diplomatic missions to Damascus. ” Clearly we need to look at the administrative circumstances”, Rubinstein said. We had a prosperous visit today, and we’re going to make an effort to do it sensibly and as frequently as possible.
Units seeks lifting of punishment
This visit follows new visits to Damascus by officials from France, the UK, and Germany. The raising of global restrictions is a priority for HTS.
US parameters for recognizing Syria’s fresh government
The new Arab state must meet the requirements, according to US President Joe Biden’s management.
Deputy State Department director Vedant Patel stated Thursday,” Our view is that when whatever government arises out of this transition, it needs to be diverse, it needs to protect the rights of all Syrians, including women and minorities, like all governments, it needs to keep critical state institutions and provide vital services. We want to see a Syria that doesn’t threaten its relatives, the surrounding areas, or be a location that will be used as a staging ground for violence or allying with organizations like ISIS, which is perhaps the most crucial thing.
