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
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

US was in contact with new Syrian regime forces prior to takeover: NYT

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: The New York Times
  • 9 Dec 2024 05:25
2 Min Read

The Biden administration is considering the extent to which it will have direct contact with new regime forces in Syria and is assessing the HTS and al-Jolani.

Listen
  • x
  • US was in contact with armed grps. prior to takeover: NYT
    The United States President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff attend the 47th Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the United States, on December 8, 2024. (AFP) 

The United States has been in indirect contact with the forces now serving as the transitional government in Syria, officials told The New York Times. 

Forces that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have been contacted by the Turkish government on behalf of the US since their offensive was launched on November 27 and before they took over Syria's capital, Damascus, according to US and Turkish officials. 

The initial messages sent by the US to the armed groups informed them of "what not to do," one of the officials told NYT. 

Among those messages, the US told militants not to allow ISIS to participate in their offensive, to which they responded by saying that they had no intention of doing so. 

After the armed groups took control of the capital and al-Assad took asylum in Russia, US President Joe Biden's administration is now considering the "extent to which they should engage directly" with the armed groups going forward. 

Related News

Tensions ease in Sweida as all detainees released amid mediation

Fierce clashes breakout in Syria's Sweida, leading to displacement

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a proscribed terrorist organization by the US and the United Nations, is heading the armed forces. Additionally, Washington has designated its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a terrorist and has set a $10 million reward for him.

Now, NYT reports that US intelligence agencies and top Biden administration officials are still in the process of evaluating HTS and al-Jolani. 

"A charm offensive might mean that people are turning over a new leaf and they think differently than they used to so you should hear them out," a US official said, adding that it was al-Jolani is currently doing.

"On the other hand, you should be cautious because charm offensives can sometimes be misleading," the official said. 

Meanwhile, the Biden administration also continues to monitor and manage the ongoing conflict between Kurdish groups and Turkish-backed armed forces, primarily the Syrian National Army (SNA). 

The US continues to closely work with its partners namely the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). According to officials, the US has provided intelligence support to the SDF in their takeover of areas in eastern Syria. 

Read more: Int'l, regional reactions to Syria regime change; calls for stability

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Abu Mohammad al-Jolani
  • Washington
  • Bashar al-Assad
  • HTS

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

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