During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed concerns regarding the leader of the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and their commitment to protecting minorities in Syria. Blinken stated that while he is encouraged by the group's verbal assurances, he is not confident that they will follow through with their promises.
Responding to a question from GOP Rep. Keith Self, Blinken emphasized the importance of HTS demonstrating their commitment through actions rather than words. He specifically highlighted the need for the protection of Christians and Muslim women in Syria.
A State Department spokesperson reiterated that the US would closely monitor HTS and its leader, Mohammad al-Jolani, to assess their actions in the coming days, weeks, and months.
When asked about the potential for Syria to become a terrorist enclave, Blinken emphasized the US's commitment to preventing such a scenario. He stressed the importance of taking all necessary measures to avoid Syria descending into further instability.
Following the hearing, Blinken departed for a trip to Jordan and Turkey to coordinate efforts on Syria in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's regime collapse. The trip aims to strengthen partnerships and address the evolving situation in Syria.
