US in ‘direct contact’ with leading Syrian rebel group despite terror designation
The Times of Israel and Agence France-Presse AFP 14 December 2024

Extracts:
  • Blinken's ‘direct contact’ with 'terrorists' HTS
Blinken reveals US in ‘direct contact’ with leading Syrian rebel group despite terror designation

The United States has made “direct contact” with Syria’s victorious Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels despite designating the group as terrorists

Secretary of State Antony Blinken tells reporters after talks on Syria in Jordan, without specifying how it took place
Quote
“We’ve been in contact with HTS and with other parties”