The United States announced on Friday that it will no longer pursue the $10 million "Rewards for Justice" bounty on Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), signaling a significant shift in its approach to Syria's new political landscape. Barbara Leaf, the US assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, confirmed the decision following her meeting with HTS officials in Damascus. "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," Leaf said. During their discussion, Leaf noted that she and al-Sharaa had a "good" and "thorough" dialogue covering regional issues and Syria's domestic challenges. "I heard him on his priorities, which are very much rooted in getting Syria on the road to economic recovery," she added. Leaf described the conversation as "very productive" and "detailed," characterizing al-Jolani as "pragmatic." She also noted HTS's evolving rhetoric, saying, "We've been hearing some very pragmatic and moderate statements on various issues, from women's rights to protection to equal rights for all communities." However, she stressed that future engagement would be evaluated based on actions, not just words. The talks come amid a dramatic shift in Syria's political landscape following the fall of the Baath Party regime. On Dec. 8, Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Russia after anti-regime forces, led by HTS fighters, captured Damascus in a swift offensive that concluded nearly 60 years of Baath Party rule. While HTS has long been designated a terrorist organization by the US, UK, UN, and Türkiye, the group and its leader have been working to rebrand themselves as a more inclusive and politically focused entity. Al-Jolani has reportedly expressed a commitment to ensuring that terrorist groups cannot pose a threat within Syria or externally. The US's decision not to pursue the bounty comes amid reports that the UN and several countries are considering removing HTS from the terrorist list. However, no official confirmation has been made regarding this potential reclassification. As Syria embarks on a new chapter, the US emphasized the importance of ensuring stability and countering extremist threats. Leaf underscored the need for cautious optimism, saying, "It was a good first meeting. We will judge by deeds, not just by words." — Agencies
