U.S. diplomats stationed in Damascus, Syria for first time more than a decade after Assad’s fall
A group of U.S. officials have descended on the Syrian capital for the first time in more than a decade to seek information on, among other things, U.S. citizens who disappeared under Assad’s regime.
A U.S. State Department spokesperson told Fox Digital News that the team visiting Damascus consists of U.S. Special Envoy for Qualitative Affairs Roger Carstens, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf, and Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Senior Advisor Daniel Rubinstein.
The spokesman confirmed that Rubinstein, who served as the U.S. special envoy for Syria and has decades of diplomatic experience, will lead diplomatic contacts.
His mission is to engage with the Syrian people and the country’s main political parties. He also sought to coordinate with allies to advance principles laid out at a meeting of world leaders in Aqaba, Jordan, earlier this month.
Biden says we know ‘for certain’ that US journalist Austin Tice is being held in Syria
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf (left), U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens (center) and Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Senior Advisor Daniel Rubinstein (right) conduct diplomacy in Damascus, Syria. A department spokesperson told Fox News Digital (Alex Wong/Getty Images; Mehmet Serkan afak/Anadolu via Getty Images; Gali Tibbon-Pool/Getty Images)
The trio will meet with the Syrian people to understand their vision for Syria. They will also ask how the United States can help support them in achieving the future they want.
“They will engage directly with the Syrian people, including members of civil society, activists, members of different communities and other Syrian voices,” the spokesperson said in part.
The three officials will also meet with representatives from the following countries: Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)), The State Department said the group held talks with the U.S.-designated terrorist group “to discuss transitional principles endorsed by the United States and partners in Jordan’s Aqaba region.”
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani leads the US-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which took over Syria after the fall of Assad’s regime. (Omar Haji Khater/AFP via Getty Images)
Syria’s Islamist group has been inconsistent in governing the province and rules with an “iron fist”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously noted that world leaders discussed “the need for an inclusive Syrian-led political transition” at the Aqaba Conference on Syria in Jordan on December 14.
“The United States supports a future government in Syria that is elected by and represents all Syrians,” Blinken said on X.
On December 13, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Turkey to discuss building greater stability amid competing rebel factions in Syria. (Getty Images)
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Another goal of the visit was to determine the whereabouts of U.S. citizens who disappeared under Assad’s regime, including former Marine turned freelance journalist Austin Tice, who died in 2012. Kidnapped while reporting in Syria.
Carstens has been spearheading the search for Theis and recently revealed that Rewards for Justice is offering up to $10 million for information on his whereabouts.
The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to Austin Tice. (State Council Justice Award)
“In light of recent events in Syria, the FBI is renewing its call for information to help locate the safe location of Austin Bennett Tice, who was detained in Damascus in August 2012,” the FBI said in a statement. Recover and return.
