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
Putin on new sanctions against Russia: Russia's energy sector remains confident, though some losses are expected
Putin calls talk of supplying Tomahawk missiles to Kyiv an attempt at escalation
Putin says he discussed with Trump the impact of the situation with Russian oil supplies on global prices, including in the United States
Dialogue is always better than confrontation, disputes, or continued war: Putin
The global energy balance has been established, and disrupting it is not in the interests of the countries attempting to do so: Putin
Russia's contribution to the global energy balance is very significant: Putin
No self-respecting country does anything under pressure: Putin
New US sanctions are an attempt to pressure Russia: Putin
Israeli media: The West Bank 'annexation' law has been suspended under Netanyahu's directives until further notice
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Bekaa, eastern Lebanon: Number of martyrs in Israeli strike rises to two.

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

Mortar clashes erupt in eastern Aleppo amid new ceasefire breaches

Homs tops Syrian cities in sectarian killings of Alawite civilians

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

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 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
Smoke and fire rises after 'Israel' launched airstrikes on the village of Ansar, Lebanon, October 16, 2025 (social media)

'Israel' launches two waves of brutal strikes on east, south Lebanon

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
A woman with her purchased groceries walks out from an underground market, in Beijing, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

Global brands in China face pressure from rising local rivals

  • Economy
  • 17 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
US-backed GHF in talks over future role in postwar Gaza: FT
Politics

US-backed GHF in talks over future role in postwar Gaza: FT

Rubio warns West Bank annexation threatens Trump’s Gaza peace plan
Politics

Rubio warns West Bank annexation threatens Trump’s Gaza plan

Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa trade barbs in fiery New York mayoral debate.
Politics

Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa trade barbs in fiery New York mayoral debate

Artist’s rendering of the RADICALS satellite in orbit. (AP)
Technology

Europe firms agree on satellite merger to counter Starlink

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