A group of US officers entered The capital of Syria for the first time in more than 10 years to seek information on American citizens who disappeared under the Assad regime, among other things.
The team that visited Damascus included US Special Envoy for Foreign Affairs Roger Carstens, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) Barbara Leaf and NEA Senior Advisor Daniel Rubinstein, Department spokesman of the State told Fox News Digital.
Rubinstein, a former US Special Envoy for Syria with decades of foreign affairs experience, will lead the talks, a spokesman confirmed.
His goal is to communicate with the Syrian people and important parties within the country. He also wants to connect with partners to develop the foundations mentioned at a meeting between world leaders in the Jordanian city of Aqaba earlier this month.
BIDEN SAYS 'CERTAINLY' KNOWING US JOURNALIST AUSTIN TICE HAS BEEN CAPTURED BY SYRIA
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (NEA) Barbara Leaf (left), US Special Envoy for Near Eastern Affairs Roger Carstens (center) and NEA Senior Advisor Daniel Rubinstein (right) and right) of Damascus, Syria, for diplomatic negotiations, State. A Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital (Photos by Alex Wong/Getty; Mehmet Serkan afak/Anadolu via Getty Images; Gali Tibbon-Pool/Getty Images)
The trio will meet with the Syrian people to reveal their vision for their country after the Assad regime fell earlier this month amid the ongoing civil war. They will also ask how the US can help support them in their desired future.
“They will interact directly with the Syrian people, including members of civil society, activists, members of different communities and other Syrian voices,” the spokesman said in part.
The three officers will also meet with representatives of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), terrorist group designated by the US, to “discuss the principles of change” confirmed by the United States and regional partners in Aqaba, Jordan, the State Department said.
Abu Mohamed al-Jolani leads the US-designated terrorist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that took over Syria after the fall of the Assad regime. (OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images)
Secretary of State Antony Blinken he first noted that world leaders discussed “the need for political change led by Syria” during the Aqaba Summit in Syria in Jordan on December 14.
“The United States supports the future Syrian government elected by the representatives of all Syrians,” Blinken told X.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on December 13 in Turkey to discuss creating greater stability in Syria among competing rebel groups. (Getty Images)
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Another purpose of the visit is to find out what happened to the American citizens who disappeared under the Assad regime, including former freelance journalist Austin Tice. . kidnapped while reporting in Syria in 2012.
Carstens has been leading the charge to find Tice and recently shared that Justice Rewards is offering up to $10 million for information on his whereabouts.
The State Department's Justice Reward Program is offering $10 million for information related to Austin Tice. (State Department of Justice Award)
“In light of recent events in Syria, the FBI is renewing our call for information that may lead to safe passage, recovery and return. Austin Bennett Tice, who was detained in Damascus in August 2012,” the FBI said in a statement.