Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham

Biden to leave decision on Syria sanctions to Trump

US officials say the Biden administration is expected to leave the decision on lifting sanctions against Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and its leader to the incoming Trump administration.

Syria:

Rebel military leader confirmed as country's new defense minister

Syria's newly formed transitional government confirms appointment of Murhaf Abu Qasra, the Islamist military commander who led the offensive against Assad, as the country's new defense minister.

Report:

US expressed concern over violent attacks in Syria

US officials tell Axios that Washington has raised concerns with Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, the new foreign minister in Syria’s transitional administration, over recent reports of violent attacks carried out by groups across the country.

Syrian rebel leader:

'Holding elections could take up to four years'

Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, explains that drafting a new constitution might require up to three years and it will take around a year for Syrians to witness significant changes.

Israel's message to Syria's new leader

Israel made clear to Ahmad al-Sharaa that as long as no trustworthy force comes to replace the IDF, it will take steps to ensure its own security.

Prominent rebel figure appointed Syrian defense minister

Syria's new leadership appoints Murhaf Abu Qasra, a prominent figure in Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, as defense minister in the interim government.

US lifts bounty on leader of Syrian rebels

Top US diplomat for the Middle East meets Syria's de facto leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, tells him that Washington would no longer pursue a reward for his arrest.

Syrian rebel leader:

'Syria is no longer a threat to the West, lift the sanctions'

Ahmed Al-Sharaa, head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and de facto leader of Syria, says the country is exhausted by the ongoing war and is no longer a threat to its neighbors or to the West.

Syrian rebel group:

'We'll dissolve the militia and integrate with national forces'

Military leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham announces they will be "the first" to disband their armed wing and merge with the Syrian national forces.

Syrian rebel leader meets UN envoy

Abu Mohammed al-Julani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, tells UN envoy it is necessary to update a 2015 United Nations Security Council resolution on the Syrian civil war.

British Foreign Secretary:

'UK had diplomatic contact with Syrian rebel group'

UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy confirms the British government established "diplomatic contact" with rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which recently overthrew Assad’s regime, even though it is a proscribed terrorist organization.

Blinken confirms:

'We’ve been in contact with Syrian rebel group HTS'

Secretary of State confirms the US has engaged in direct communication with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Syrian rebel group now holding de-facto control of the country and which was designated a terrorist organization by Washington.

As rebels make fast advances:

Netanyahu holds meeting to discuss developments in Syria

Israeli officials say that Israel was startled by the rebels' fast advance against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and believe the collapse of the regime is a plausible scenario.

IRGC general killed in clashes with rebels in Syria

Fighting between rebels and government forces reignited in the northwest Aleppo province.

Syrian Islamists down Russian warplane

Russian pilot killed after jihadist rebels down his warplane over Idlib.

Jihadists overtake Syrian city of Idlib

Jihadist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham takes over Idlib after rival rebels withdraw.