Secretary Blinken said the US has been in touch with Syrian rebels who overthrew Assad

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that U.S. officials have been in contact with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Syrian opposition group that led to dictator Bashar Assad being ousted. 

“Yes, we have been in contact with HTS and with other parties,” Blinken said at a Saturday news conference, according to The Hill.

"Our message to the Syrian people is this: We want them to succeed and we’re prepared to help them do so," he later added.

HTS has already set up a transitional government that plans to lead Syria at least through March 2025.

Last weekend, Islamist rebels stormed the Syrian capital of Damascus, resulting in Assad fleeing the country. He has reportedly taken refuge in Russia where his family has been granted asylum. 

According to The Hill, HTS is labeling itself as a moderate group even though the U.S. still lists them as a terrorist organization. Their leader appeared in a video message Friday, according to The Associated Press, applauding “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.”