Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

US delegation to arrive in Damascus for talks with HTS leader

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 19 Dec 2024 23:59
  • 2 Shares
2 Min Read

A US delegation headed by Barbara Leaf, the US' top Middle Eastern Affairs diplomat, will be arriving in Damascus for talks with the new Syrian authority.

Listen
  • x
  • The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. (AFP)
    The leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. (AFP)

An American delegation led by Barbara Leaf, the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, is expected to arrive in Damascus for a meeting with Ahmad al-Sharaa, the Financial Times reported. 

According to FT, the meeting will be the first direct official contact between Washington and the leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) armed group. 

Meanwhile, Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing US officials, stated that Leaf will travel to Damascus in the coming days.

Related News

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

Damascus accuses Sweida factions of breaking ceasefire, sowing 'chaos'

Last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken revealed that US officials have engaged in direct dialogue with HTS, urging it and other opposition factions to assist in locating Austin Tice, an American journalist abducted in Syria in 2012.

He added that Washington has outlined its expectations for Syria’s political transition to various actors.

The meeting, hosted in al-Aqaba, Jordan, included representatives from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar. The gathering excluded Russia and Iran, al-Assad’s primary allies, and did not feature a Syrian representative.

It is worth noting that the United States has deployed forces in Syria for several years now, considered to be occupation forces by the previous regime. A Pentagon spokesperson said on Thursday that there are actually 2,000 US troops in Syria, more than double the previously publicly announced number of 900. Moreover, these forces had already been there before the offensive against the previous regime was launched. 

Read more: US prepared Syrian armed group to oust al-Assad: The Telegraph

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Ahmad al-Sharaa
  • Abu Mohammad al-Jolani
  • Damascus
  • Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS