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-Qassam Brigades: We will hand over the body of one of the occupation prisoners that was exhumed today in the Gaza Strip at 9 pm Gaza time.
Al Mayadeen correspondent to southern Lebanon: One martyr and one wounded in the initial toll of an Israeli drone strike targeting the town of Al-Bayyad.
Local sources report that a car bomb explosion has targeted the General Security headquarters near the Baniyas Court in the Tartous countryside, western Syria
Israeli artillery strikes target Khan Younis, the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: IOF arrest leader Jamal al-Tawil, who was liberated as part of the prisoner exchange, from his home in al-Bireh.
Palestinian media: 'Israel' launches two airstrikes on eastern Khan Younis, Gaza.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation forces carry out demolitions in eastern Gaza City.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The National Armed Forces will remain on alert and mobilized in the face of this extremely dangerous provocation.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: This is not a defense exercise, but rather a military aggression aimed at turning the Caribbean into a space for violence and US hegemony.
Venezuelan Foreign Ministry: The government of Trinidad and Tobago has surrendered the country's sovereignty to act as a military colony serving US interests.

US officials meet Sharaa, CENTCOM says took out ISIS leader in Syria

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Dec 2024 18:31
3 Min Read

The US delegation also engaged directly with Syrian civil society, activists, and members of various communities.

Listen
  • x
  • US officials meet Sharaa, CENTCOM says took out ISIS leader in Syria
    This handout image made available by SANA's Telegram channel, on December 17, 2024, shows Ahmad al-Sharaa (formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani), head of the the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group receiving the director of the MENA department at Britain's Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office in Damascus (SANA/AFP)

US diplomats met in Damascus on Friday with representatives of Syria's Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) to discuss transition principles and regional developments, a State Department official revealed.

While in Damascus, diplomats are also working on the fate of missing American journalists Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, as well as other Americans who have disappeared under Bashar al-Assad's administration, according to the spokesperson.

The US State Department announced early Friday that three senior American diplomats have arrived in Damascus, Syria's capital, to meet with leaders of the new regime forces now in control of the country and to search for information on Austin Tice, a missing journalist, and other US citizens.

The delegation, which included top US diplomat for the Middle East Barbara Leaf, Hostage Envoy Roger Carstens, and Senior Advisor Daniel Rubenstein, also engaged directly with Syrian civil society, activists, and members of various communities.

A Syrian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, later confirmed the US delegation had met with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of HTS. "And the results will be positive, God willing," the official said, as quoted by AFP.

During their discussions with HTS, the diplomats addressed key issues, such as Syria's transition principles, regional developments, and the crucial need to continue the fight against ISIS. 

A planned press conference by the US delegation was "canceled due to security concerns."

Related News

IOF infiltrate Quneitra, violate Syrian sovereignty

Ceasefire violated again in Suwaida, Southern Syria

Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's (HTS) unexpected appearance in the capital has left foreign governments, particularly the United States, scrambling for a new policy, as HTS is listed as a terrorist group by certain countries.

Meanwhile, demonstrators in Damascus protested religious rules chanting they wanted "democracy, not a religious state" after a spokesperson for the new regime forces declared that "female representation in ministries or parliament... is premature," citing "biological" and other reasons.

Majida Mudarres, a former public official, was furious at the remarks, vowing not to accept any position against women. "The time in which we were silent is over," she said. 

On Friday, Amy Pope, the chief of the UN migration agency, encouraged "the caretaker government to continue to empower and enable women because they are going to be absolutely critical to the rebuilding of the country." Pope also urged for a reassessment of Syria's international sanctions to assist the country in recovering. 

US airstrike in Syria kills ISIS leader Abu Yousif

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced Friday a precision airstrike in Syria’s Deir Ezzor, killing ISIS leader Abu Yusif, also known as Mahmud. The strike, which also killed another ISIS operative, is allegedly part of CENTCOM’s continued efforts to disrupt terrorist operations in the region, according to CENTCOM.

CENTCOM emphasized that the strike is part of a broader mission to prevent ISIS from regaining strength and to thwart their attempts to attack US personnel, allies, and partners worldwide.

CENTCOM Forces Kill ISIS Leader During Precision Strike in Syria

On Dec. 19, U.S. Central Command Forces conducted a precision airstrike targeting ISIS leader Abu Yusif aka Mahmud in the Dayr az Zawr Province, Syria resulting in two ISIS operatives killed, including Abu… pic.twitter.com/g3nO68Ye1T

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 20, 2024

General Michael Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM commander, reiterated that the US "will not allow ISIS to take advantage of the current situation in Syria and reconstitute. ISIS has the intent to break out of detention the over 8,000 ISIS operatives currently being held in facilities in Syria," affirming that the US will "aggressively target these leaders and operatives, including those trying to conduct operations external to Syria."

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Ahmad al-Sharaa
  • Damascus
  • Deir Ezzor
  • Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Sheikh Naim Qassem speaks during an interview with Al-Manar TV, October 26, 2025 (Screenshot)
Politics

Hezbollah ready to face 'Israel' in case of war: Sheikh Naim Qassem

A Russian cargo train arrives at Astara Railway Wharf, March 2018 (IRNA)
Economy

Tehran, Moscow to finalize INSTC rail project next month

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addresses the media after submitting his candidacy for the Islamic Republic's upcoming presidential election in Tehran on June 3, 2024 (AP)
Politics

UNSCR 2231 termination marks major win for Iran’s diplomacy: Qalibaf

ap
Politics

'Israel' killed 40 Palestinian children in West Bank since January: UN

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