Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), who launched an offensive that quickly led to the capture of Aleppo, Syria’s former commercial hub, and the ousting of Assad from power, will no longer face a US bounty of $10 million under the Rewards for Justice program.
US removes $10 million bounty on Abu Mohammad al-Jolani
The decision to lift $10 million bounty placed on Abu Mohammad al-Jolani comes after US diplomats met with the new Syrian leadership in Damascus on Friday, marking the first high-level visit since the regime change.
Assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs Barbara Leaf led the US delegation in a meeting with the Syrian leadership. The discussions focused on both domestic and Syrian foreign policy, as well as several key issues, including the status of missing Americans, counterterrorism efforts, and potential future relations.
Leaf said the discussions with the Syrian interim government were “quite good, very productive,” and “detailed.” The delegation met with Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who committed to preventing terrorist groups in Syria from threatening the US and its allies. After the face-to-face meeting, the US decided to lift the $10 million bounty placed on Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, according to The Guardian report.
“I told him (HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa) we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice, reward offer that has been in effect for some years,” said Barbara Leaf, as quoted by a Middle East Monitor report.
Jolani‘s name removed from US website
HTS leader Jolani’s name has reportedly been removed from the US Justice Department website, where a $10 million bounty on him was listed. A social media user also shared a screenshot of the US website where Jolani’s name is no longer visible.
Who is Al-Jolani?
Mohammad al-Jolani is the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Formerly associated with al-Qaeda, Al-Jolani has assured Aleppo’s residents that they will be safe under his control.
Jolani, born in Damascus in 1982, became involved in jihadist ideology after the 9/11 attacks. He later joined al-Qaeda in Iraq after the US invasion but split from al-Qaeda in 2016.
Jolani has recently given interviews to international media. In an interview with CNN, he said, “When we talk about objectives, the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal.” He also instructed his fighters to secure the areas they have taken.
While Jolani now wears a standard military uniform instead of a turban and claims he has no intention of attacking the West, some analysts still consider HTS a terrorist organization. He began using his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in late 2023. He has worked to unite other Islamist groups in northwestern Syria, consolidating HTS control over areas like Idlib province.
In November 2024, Jolani seized the opportunity created by the withdrawal of Hezbollah fighters, who had been backing Assad, to launch a rapid offensive against the regime. The offensive quickly led to the capture of Aleppo, Syria’s former commercial hub.
Jolani met with leaders of the Christian and Kurdish communities in the city, assuring them of their safety and encouraging them to carry on with their lives. He also declared that “diversity is our strength, not a weakness.” The following week, HTS and other rebel groups entered Damascus, removing Assad from power. Jolani then addressed the nation from the Great Mosque of Damascus, a historic site that had been used by both Muslims and Christians. He left the head of St. John the Baptist, a Christian relic housed within the mosque, untouched.
Fate of detained or missing Americans
A key focus of the meetings between the US and Syrian leadership was the fate of detained or missing Americans, including journalist Austin Tice. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens participated in the discussions. Carstens said, “What I can tell you is this, the president of the United States said recently that he believes Austin to be alive, and it’s our duty to keep pressing and pushing to see if we can find all the information that we possibly can, to get a sense of, with certainty by the way, what happened to him, where he is, and to bring him home.” Carstens stressed six potential prison sites where Tice may have been held.
US affirms support for Syrian civil society
The US delegation also met with members of civil society, activists, and other Syrians to discuss their vision for the country’s future. Leaf affirmed continued US support for the White Helmets, a Syrian civil defense organization. The delegation also held an event to honor those who were detained, tortured, or disappeared under the previous regime.
Regular diplomatic missions to Damascus
Daniel Rubinstein, a senior State Department advisor, indicated the US hopes to have more regular diplomatic missions to Damascus. “Obviously we need to look at the operational conditions,” Rubinstein said. “We were able to have a successful visit today, and we’re going to try to do them prudently and as frequently as practical.”
HTS seeks lifting of sanctions
This visit follows recent trips to Damascus by diplomats from France, the UK, and Germany. HTS is seeking the lifting of international sanctions.
US conditions for recognizing Syria’s new government
US President Joe Biden’s administration has outlined conditions for formal recognition of the new Syrian government.
Deputy State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel stated Thursday, “Our view is that when whatever government arises out of this transition, it needs to be inclusive, it needs to protect the rights of all Syrians, including women and minorities, like all governments, it needs to preserve critical state institutions and deliver essential services. And perhaps most important, we want to see a Syria that does not pose a threat to its neighbors or the regions or being a place that’s going to serve as a base for terrorism or allying with groups like ISIS.”