The US government has announced that it has lifted the arrest warrant for the new Syrian leader, Ahmad al-Shara (Jawlani).
According to Radio France Internationale, a US delegation visited Damascus to discuss the political transition with the new Syrian leadership. In addition, Barbara Leaf, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, called for a ceasefire between Turkish-backed militias and Kurdish fighters around the northern Syrian city of Kobani.
Jawlani, who was previously listed as a “terrorist” by the US, decided to lift the arrest warrant on December 20 after the US government made its first official contact with the new Syrian government.
Jawlani is the leader of the Al-Sharia Committee, whose forces organized the operation to overthrow Assad, which later took over the Syrian regime. This decision marks a significant change in US policy on Syria.
According to Agence France-Presse, a US foreign ministry delegation led by Barbara Leff visited Damascus and met with the new Syrian leaders led by Secretary of State Rex Hamad. “We are working hard to negotiate with Turkey and the Syrian democratic forces,” Leff told reporters after the meeting. She said a ceasefire around Kobani was the best solution.
This is the first visit by US foreign ministry officials to the Syrian capital since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.