US cancels bounty for new Syrian leader, Türkiye calls for lifting of global sanctions

(CLO) Recently, the US government announced it would cancel a $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Ahmed al-Sharaa, a key leader of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.

Previously, al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, led rebel forces to seize control of the Syrian capital, Damascus, and achieved a major victory against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, leading to its collapse.

In a recent meeting between al-Sharaa and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf, the two sides agreed to remove the bounty, partly to support the reconstruction and stabilization of Syria, with al-Sharaa pledging to prevent potential terrorist groups from threatening Syria, as well as the U.S. and its regional partners.

Al-Sharaa had previously joined Al-Qaeda but severed ties with the terrorist organization and allied with other groups to form HTS. In 2013, the US listed him as a "global terrorist" and offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture.

The cancellation of this reward by the US reflects a shift in Washington's policy toward Syria amid the collapse of the Assad regime.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. Photo: Turkish Foreign Ministry

In another development, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus and expressed support for Syria's political transition.

Mr. Fidan emphasized the importance of unifying and stabilizing Syria after a civil war that lasted more than a decade, and called on the international community to lift sanctions against the country to support the recovery and reconstruction process.

Mr. Fidan stated that Türkiye will continue to support the Syrian government in rebuilding state institutions and assisting Syrian refugees in returning home. He also called for the lifting of sanctions against Syria as soon as possible, arguing that these sanctions only exacerbate the difficult situation of a country recovering from war.

During this meeting, al-Sharaa also reaffirmed that his government would protect the rights of minority groups in Syrian society, including Kurds, Christians, Druze, and other religious communities.

The meeting between Fidan and al-Sharaa took place against a backdrop of turbulent politics in Syria and the region. Syria is entering a transitional phase, as many countries, including the US and Türkiye, are seeking to support the country's recovery and reconstruction after years of war.

Syria currently faces several key challenges, including rebuilding state institutions, protecting minority groups, and addressing the refugee crisis. Syria's new leaders have pledged to promote a new constitution and protect the diversity of religious and ethnic communities, aiming to build a peaceful and stable Syria after more than a decade of war.

With commitments from countries like Türkiye, the United States, and other regional partners, Syria is facing a rare opportunity to rebuild and reshape its future in an environment of international peace and cooperation.

Ngoc Anh (according to Newsweek, AJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-huy-treo-thuong-cho-thu-linh-moi-cua-syria-tho-nhi-ky-keu-goi-do-bo-lenh-trung-phat-toan-cau-post326992.html