US drops $10M bounty on Ahmed Al-Sharaa

The US announced on Friday that it would no longer pursue a USD 10 million bounty under the “Rewards for Justice” program for Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS).

Barbara Leaf, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, revealed the decision after meeting with HTS officials in Damascus, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.

“I told him we would not be pursuing the Rewards for Justice reward offer that has been in effect for some years,” Leaf stated during a press briefing.

Leaf described her discussion with Sharaa as “good” and “thorough,” covering a wide range of regional and domestic issues.

“I heard him on his priorities, which are very much rooted in getting Syria on the road to economic recovery,” she said. She added that al-Sharaa presented himself as “pragmatic,” highlighting what she described as “pragmatic and moderate statements” on topics such as women’s rights and equal protection for all communities.

“It was a good first meeting. We will judge by deeds, not just by words,” Leaf emphasized, underscoring the need to ensure that terrorist groups do not pose threats within or beyond Syria’s borders. She also noted that Sharaa expressed a commitment to addressing such concerns.

HTS, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by the US, the UK, the UN, and Turkey, sought to reposition itself as a more moderate political force in Syria. Sharaa and the group have increasingly emphasized inclusivity and political solutions in their rhetoric.

While speculation has arisen regarding the potential removal of HTS from international terror lists, no official confirmations have been made. Reports suggest that discussions are ongoing among the US, the UN, and other international actors to reassess the group’s status.