US drops $10 million bounty on Syria's new Islamist ruler

WASHINGTON, —The United States has officially withdrawn a long-standing reward for information leading to the arrest of Syria’s new Islamist ruler, Ahmed al-Sharaa (Abu Mohammad al-Golani), following positive assurances in a historic meeting, a senior U.S. diplomat confirmed Friday.

Barbara Leaf, the top U.S. envoy for Middle Eastern affairs, made the announcement after her meeting with Sharaa in Damascus.

The talks marked the first formal U.S. diplomatic mission to Syria’s capital since the onset of its civil war more than a decade ago.

Sharaa, who came to power after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8, 2024, in a swift offensive led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), pledged to work toward fighting terrorism, Leaf said.

HTS, formerly known as al Nusra Front and tied to al-Qaida, has sought to rebrand itself in recent years. Despite this, the U.S. still designates HTS as a terrorist organization.

“During our discussions, I informed him that the U.S. would no longer pursue the Rewards for Justice bounty placed on him,” Leaf told reporters. “Given the commitments he’s made, it no longer aligns with our policy.”

After the meeting, Sharaa issued a statement emphasizing regional stability and neutrality. “The Syrian people maintain equal relations with all nations and reject polarization,” the statement read.

Leaf said the U.S. stressed the need for concrete actions to prevent terrorist groups from threatening Syria, the region, or U.S. allies. Sharaa, she added, committed to addressing these concerns.

Roger Carstens, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, joined the delegation to work on locating missing American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012. Efforts to search specific sites and investigate other leads will continue, Carstens said.

Separately, the U.S. military confirmed on Friday the killing of an Islamic State leader and an associate in Deir Ezzor province. The operation reflects heightened U.S. military efforts following Assad’s ouster.

The shift in Syria’s leadership has drawn mixed reactions. Turkey, which supports opposition forces, has renewed its campaign against Kurdish-led groups in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated calls to eliminate “terrorist organizations” operating near the border, including IS and Kurdish fighters affiliated with the People’s Protection Units (YPG).

Ankara accuses the YPG of links to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which both Turkey and the U.S. classify as a terrorist organization.

Kurdish leaders in northern Syria have welcomed Assad’s removal but face threats of continued Turkish attacks. Washington has urged a ceasefire between Turkish-backed forces and the U.S.-supported Syrian Democratic Forces, predominantly composed of Kurdish fighters.

Meanwhile, international leaders, including German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, have cautioned against escalating violence, emphasizing the need for stability and security for all groups in Syria.

The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011, has claimed more than 500,000 lives and displaced millions. On Friday, Syrians continued to celebrate Assad’s departure, with crowds gathering in Damascus’s Umayyad Square under fireworks and flags.

The U.S. remains committed to addressing Syria’s humanitarian and political challenges. Leaf also met with civil society leaders and the White Helmets, honoring victims of atrocities committed during Assad’s rule. Sanctions, international pressure, and reconstruction efforts are expected to shape Syria’s path forward.

(With files from AP)