The United States of America Explains Why They Decided to Withdraw the $10 Million Reward for Arrest of Ahmed al-Sharaa

The United States has decided to drop its $10 million reward for the arrest of Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, following the recent uprising that ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The announcement was made by Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, after US officials visited Damascus to engage with the new administration.

This visit marks the first time US diplomats have been in Syria since al-Assad was removed from power earlier this month by a rapid offensive led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group. Despite the US designating HTS as a terrorist organization in 2018, al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Julani, has assured US officials that he will work to ensure that terrorist groups do not pose a threat.

The United States via the diplomat, Leaf explained the decision to rescind the reward, stating it was based on "positive messages" received during the discussions with the new Syrian leadership. She emphasized the importance of an inclusive and representative government in Syria that respects the rights of all citizens, including women and minority groups. Leaf's delegation included Daniel Rubinstein, a former special envoy for Syria, and Roger Carstens, the US government’s chief envoy for hostage affairs.

The diplomatic mission to Syria comes amid ongoing deliberations by Western countries about possibly lifting the terrorist designations for HTS. These designations include various sanctions but do not prevent US officials from engaging with HTS members or leaders.

Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Rosiland Jordan indicated that the US hopes the removal of the reward for al-Sharaa's arrest will foster a more cooperative relationship with the new Syrian government, promoting stability and security in the region. The US is also seeking information about several Americans who went missing during Syria’s civil war, including journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared near Damascus in 2012. HTS has expressed willingness to assist in locating Tice and facilitating his return.

On a related note, the US military has recently confirmed the presence of about 2,000 troops in Syria, a figure more than double the previous estimate. The US forces initially entered Syria in 2014 with the goal of defeating ISIS, and they have remained in the country even after the group's territorial defeat in 2017.

Additionally, the US military reported conducting an air strike that killed ISIL leader Abu Yusif, also known as Mahmud, in Deir ez-Zor. This strike took place in an area previously controlled by Syrian government and Russian forces. CENTCOM commander Erik Kurilla reaffirmed the US commitment to preventing ISIS from regaining strength and emphasized that the US will continue to target ISIS leaders and operatives.

The Pentagon has stated that there are no immediate plans to withdraw US forces from Syria, maintaining that ISIL still poses a significant threat. This stance underscores the ongoing strategic importance of the US military presence in the region as part of broader efforts to ensure security and counter terrorism.