US Had Direct Contact With Syrian Rebel Groups, Blinken Says

The talks aimed to find out the whereabouts of lacking American journalist Austin Tice, in keeping with Blinken.

The US has been in direct contact with Syrian insurgent teams together with Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is now the nation’s dominant pressure following the collapse of the long-ruling Assad regime, Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned Saturday.

This marks the primary public affirmation of direct interplay between america and designated terror group HTS, and comes on the conclusion of Blinken’s diplomatic journey within the area amid Syria’s speedy political upheaval.

“Sure, we’ve been in touch with HTS and different events,” Blinken mentioned at a press convention in Jordan. The communication, he mentioned, was a part of renewed efforts to find American journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in Syria 12 years in the past.

Blinken didn’t present particular particulars, comparable to when the contact was made, at what stage, or whether or not these discussions prolonged past the seek for Tice.

Tice, a Houston native, is 43 years previous if he’s nonetheless alive. In response to an internet site maintained by his household, Tice graduated from Georgetown College, served as a captain within the U.S. Marine Corps, and later returned to Georgetown to pursue a regulation diploma.

In Could 2012, the yr earlier than his remaining yr at Georgetown, Tice went to Syria as a contract journalist to cowl the continuing civil battle there. That August, Tice—who freelanced for CBS, The Washington Submit, McClatchy, and different information organizations—traveled simply south of the Syrian capital of Damascus to finish his remaining assignments earlier than he deliberate to depart for Lebanon.

On Aug. 14, 2012, three days earlier than his thirty first birthday, Tice was detained at a checkpoint after departing from the Damascus suburb of Darayya. The U.S. authorities mentioned at the moment that Tice had been captured by Assad’s authorities, which had persistently denied involvement and claimed no information of his whereabouts.

Bashar al-Assad, whose household dominated Syria for 5 a long time, fled to Russia this week after a lightning insurgent offensive overwhelmed Damascus. The autumn of the Assad regime has reignited hope that Tice might be discovered alive, as insurgent forces have been releasing detainees from prisons throughout the nation, elevating the likelihood that Tice is likely to be amongst them.

On Friday, the FBI revealed a photograph of what Tice might appear like as we speak. The age-progression photograph exhibits him with a graying beard and tremendous traces round his brow and eyes.

“The US continues our personal dogged, decided efforts to seek out American journalist Austin Tice and produce him dwelling safely,” Blinken mentioned.

Becoming a member of Blinken on Saturday’s press convention have been international ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The diplomats introduced a framework for participating with any future Syrian authorities, emphasizing the necessity for a “Syrian-led and Syrian-owned” political course of that safeguards the rights of all residents, together with girls and minorities.

The group of leaders additionally highlighted a shared dedication in stopping Syria from turning into a haven for terrorism.

“Syria shouldn’t be used as a foundation for terrorist teams or others to threaten Syrian individuals, its neighbors, and the world,” the secretary of state mentioned.

“Our message to the Syrian individuals is: We wish you to succeed and we’re prepared that can assist you accomplish that.”