Biden In Secret Talks With Islamist Group About Post-Assad Syria

In a series of confidential messages delivered through a Turkish emissary, President Joe Biden cautioned Syria’s leading rebel group against returning to its terrorist origins and aligning with ISIS terrorists after the abrupt fall of Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule.

According to The Telegraph, the president received assurances from Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that it has no intention of incorporating ISIS fighters into its ranks. However, the incoming Trump administration remains highly skeptical. Based on historical patterns, it is likely that actions will prove to be more significant than words.

With Assad dethroned, HTS and its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, are now central to the debate over Syria’s future.

Mr Biden is now debating the extent to which they should engage directly with Islamist-led rebel groups amid concerns they could still team up with jihadists, The New York Times reported.

In a televised address on Sunday, the outgoing president noted that some of the rebel groups had “their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses”.

He added: “We’ve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days and they’re saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.”

For U.S. policymakers, a pivotal question looms: Can HTS, long recognized as a terrorist organization, evolve into a legitimate political player—or is its shift toward moderation a cyncial move to solidify control?

Over the weekend, Jolani sat down for a CNN interview, portraying himself as a “moderate rebel.” Yet his attempt to distance himself from his al-Qaeda roots—he severed ties in 2016—has met fierce criticism. His past as a senior al-Qaeda operative, coupled with a documented role in attacks on U.S. forces during the Iraq war, casts a long shadow over his credibility.

Despite HTS’ claims of reform, Jolani’s notoriety persists. Following Assad’s ousting, he has emerged as the de facto leader of Syria, a nation of 23 million. However, his name remains on the U.S. State Department’s “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” list, with a $10 million bounty attached. Reports suggest U.S. officials are considering removing the bounty.

Since breaking from al-Qaeda, HTS has sought to rebrand as a nationalist group opposing Assad, Iran and Russia. This recalibration, however, has not erased its legacy of terrorism, leaving other officials in Washington skeptical.

The debate is particularly heated as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office. His administration is expected to adopt a hardline approach, with Republican policymakers cautioning against prematurely lifting HTS’ foreign terrorist organization (FTO) designation.

“[Jolani] has to be judged over the course of his career, not just by what he’s done in the past few months,” warned Nathan Sales, a former counterterrorism envoy under Trump. Gabriel Noronha, another former Trump official, echoed this view, pointing out that groups like HTS often appear conciliatory when their power is fragile, only to reveal their true agendas once they consolidate control.

HTS is taking steps to present itself as a force for stability in post-Assad Syria. The group has pledged to collaborate with Prime Minister Mohammed al-Bashir, offered amnesty to conscripted soldiers and promised to refrain from imposing rigid dress codes on women. These gestures suggest an effort to craft a more palatable image for international audiences.

Critics argue these moves could be tactical ploys to gain legitimacy rather than genuine reforms. Republicans, in particular, have urged caution, emphasizing the risks of normalizing relations with HTS too soon.

“We should all be very skeptical of the ability of HTS to deradicalize itself at the moment of victory,” Sales emphasized.

For now, the U.S. maintains HTS’ terrorist designation and the sanctions that accompany it.

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