US diplomats have returned to Damascus for the first time in over a decade since the downfall of the Assad regime.
The diplomatic mission to Damascus aims to obtain details about the whereabouts of American captives, including Austin Tice, the kidnapped journalist.
American officials have visited Syria's capital for the first time in over a decade to gather information on missing American citizens under the Assad regime, as well as other matters.
The US Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, and NEA Senior Adviser are part of the team visiting Damascus, according to a State Department spokesperson.
The U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, Rubinstein, will lead the diplomatic engagement, as confirmed by the spokesperson.
He aims to connect with the Syrian people and significant figures within the country, while simultaneously collaborating with allies to implement the principles discussed in the recent meeting between world leaders in Aqaba.
The trio will meet with the Syrian people to discover their vision for their country following the fall of the Assad regime earlier this month amid an ongoing civil war. Additionally, they will inquire about how the U.S. can aid them in achieving their desired future.
The spokesperson stated that they would be directly engaging with the Syrian people, including civil society members, activists, representatives from various communities, and other Syrian voices.
The three officials will also meet with representatives of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist group, to discuss transition principles endorsed by the United States and regional partners in Aqaba, Jordan, according to the State Department.
During the Aqaba Meetings on Syria in Jordan on Dec. 14, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that world leaders discussed the requirement for a Syrian-led political transition that is inclusive.
Blinken stated that the United States supports a future government in Syria that is chosen by and represents all Syrians.
The objective of the visit is to ascertain what transpired to American citizens who vanished under the Assad regime, including Austin Tice, a former marine and freelance journalist who was abducted while reporting in Syria in 2012.
Recently, Carstens revealed that Rewards for Justice is offering up to $10 million for information on Tice's whereabouts.
The FBI is renewing its call for information that could help locate, recover, and return Austin Bennett Tice, who was captured in Damascus in August 2012 due to recent events in Syria.
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