• Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock
Editor's Pick

Biden admin lifts $10M bounty on the head of leader of Islamist group now in charge in Syria

by December 23, 2024
written by December 23, 2024

The Biden administration has lifted a $10 million bounty on the head of Ahmed al-Sharaa, leader of the group that overthrew Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

In exchange, al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, agreed to a U.S. demand not to allow terrorism groups in Syria to threaten the U.S. or Syria’s neighbors. 

‘We had a good, thoroughgoing discussion on a range of regional issues,’ Barbara Leaf, the U.S.’s top envoy to the Middle East, told reporters of her Friday meeting with al-Sharaa. 

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) drove Assad out of Damascus earlier this month. While other rebel factions remain throughout the country, HTS has amassed control over much of Syria. 

HTS was founded as an offshoot of al Qaeda but broke away from the group in 2016. It evolved from the Nusrah Front, which was designated as a terrorist group in 2012, and in 2018 the U.S. added HTS’ terrorism designation. 

‘It was a policy decision… aligned with the fact that we are beginning a discussion with HTS,’ Leaf explained. 

‘So if I’m sitting with the HTS leader and having a lengthy detailed discussion about the interests of the US, interests of Syria, maybe interests of the region, it’s suffice to say a little incoherent then to have a bounty on the guy’s head.’

The group has been trying to shake its extremist reputation and the designation, with al-Sharaa claiming he does not want Syria to become the next Afghanistan and he believes in education for women.

‘We’ve had universities in Idlib for more than eight years,’ Sharaa told BBC, referring to Syria’s northwestern province that HTS has held since 2011. 

‘I think the percentage of women in universities is more than 60%.’ 

‘He came across as pragmatic,’ Leaf said. ‘It was a good first meeting. We will judge by deeds, not just by words.’

U.S. officials have visited Syria to push for a pragmatic government and to find information on the whereabouts of detained U.S. journalist Austin Tice. 

The U.S. has had a mixed relationship with HTS due to its militant Islamist roots. 

Al-Sharaa has said HTS is not a terrorist group because it does not target civilians or civilian areas, and they consider themselves to be the victims of the crime of Assad’s regime. 

The U.S. has launched an aggressive campaign of airstrikes in northeastern Syria to take out ISIS militants, fearing a resurgence amid the upheaval in Syria which could lead to the release of more than 8,000 IS prisoners, ‘a significant security concern,’ according to the Pentagon.

The Pentagon revealed on Thursday that the U.S. doubled the number of its forces from 900 to roughly 2,000 to fight IS before Assad’s fall. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail

previous post
Gaetz sues to block release of Ethics Committee report
next post
Trump could face renewed ISIS threat in Syria as Turkey goes after US ally

related articles

Trump denounces court’s ‘political’ tariff decision, calls on...

May 30, 2025

President Trump teases ‘last day, but not really’...

May 30, 2025

State Dept says DOGE’s changes will be permanent...

May 30, 2025

Jill Biden should have to answer for ‘cover...

May 29, 2025

DOGE staffing shakeup as Elon Musk hangs up...

May 29, 2025

Hawley urges DOJ probe of Chinese trucking company

May 29, 2025

Less than half of DOGE-terminated contracts can be...

May 29, 2025

Flashback: Top five wildest moments from Elon Musk’s...

May 29, 2025

Sen Ron Johnson suggests he may not run...

May 29, 2025

Justice Department tells American Bar Association it will...

May 29, 2025
Enter Your Information Below To Receive Free Trading Ideas, Latest News, And Articles.


Your information is secure and your privacy is protected. By opting in you agree to receive emails from us. Remember that you can opt-out any time, we hate spam too!

Latest News

  • Judicial pushback against Trump’s agenda will likely lead to one final face-off, experts say

    February 13, 2025
  • Trump budget bill hits the rocks with GOP rebels, tax hawks ahead of key vote

    February 13, 2025
  • Ethereum, after a month, again above the $2700 level

    September 24, 2024
  • A weakened Hezbollah leads some in Lebanon to talk of peace with Israel as US pushes sides together

    April 24, 2025
  • Shadowy group propped up by Democrat money accused of ‘dirty tricks’ meddling against GOP in key races

    September 19, 2024

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Secret Service admits leaning on ‘state and local partners’ after claim it ignored Trump team’s past requests

    July 21, 2024
  • 2

    Elon and Vivek should tackle US funding for this boondoogle organization and score a multimillion dollar win

    December 4, 2024
  • 3

    Forex Profit Calculator: Maximize Your Trading Potential

    July 10, 2024
  • 4

    Five more House Democrats call on Biden to drop out, third US senator

    July 19, 2024
  • 5

    Biden calls to ‘lower the temperature’ then bashes Trump in NAACP speech

    July 17, 2024

Categories

  • Economy (829)
  • Editor's Pick (4,723)
  • Investing (624)
  • Stock (773)

Latest Posts

  • Trump directs Secret Service to give him ‘every bit of information’ about his attempted assassins: report

    February 9, 2025
  • Savings drained and living off $2,400 a month, a Florida retiree misses out on her ‘golden years’

    July 18, 2024
  • Embattled Secret Service director to tell top House committee ‘we failed’ to protect Trump

    July 22, 2024

Recent Posts

  • House Republicans continue Fani Willis investigation, requesting documents from DA employees

    February 8, 2025
  • Macy’s turnaround hinges on revamping some stores and closing others. It appears to be working.

    March 7, 2025
  • Pentagon says ‘small number’ of North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region; Biden concerned

    October 30, 2024

Editor’s Pick

  • New report warns of growing national security threat to U.S. as China builds AI: ‘Significant and concerning’

    December 21, 2024
  • EURGBP and EURCHF: EURGBP down on Monday to 1.84150

    July 22, 2024
  • Trump wants to revive the lagging US shipbuilding industry. Here are the hurdles he faces

    April 21, 2025
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Disclaimer: moneyrisetoday.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

Copyright © 2025 moneyrisetoday.com | All Rights Reserved

Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Economy
  • Editor’s Pick
Money Rise Today – Investing and Stock News
  • Investing
  • Stock