U.S. officials weigh removal of $10 million bounty on HTS leader after Damascus takeover

U.S. officials are considering removing a $10 million bounty on Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), following the group's recent takeover of Damascus. This marks a shift in U.S. policy towards HTS, which has been designated a terrorist organization since 2013. Jolani's group ended Bashar al-Assad's long-standing rule, prompting discussions within the Biden administration about how to engage with HTS. President Biden acknowledged the situation as a "fundamental act of justice" but warned of potential risks from rebel groups. The U.S. is also focused on securing chemical weapons in Assad's arsenal and maintaining stability in Syria. Meanwhile, Jordan is lobbying for support of the Syrian Free Army, which is gaining ground as the Assad regime collapses.