The US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, on Sunday described the "Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham" group as a "terrorist organization" according to the United States classification, expressing his country's real concerns about the organization's current goals, noting that the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad , facing pressure.

Sullivan said, in statements to CNN: “We are not surprised that these Syrian rebels are trying to take advantage of a new situation after the Syrian government’s supporters, Iran, Russia and Hezbollah, were distracted and weakened by conflicts and events in other places. They saw that they were weaker.” And they are more vulnerable than before, and they tried to take advantage of that.”

He expressed his belief that the American forces stationed in Syria to fight ISIS are not at risk, at the present time, because they are located in a different part of the country, but the forces in general are still under threat from Iran and armed groups in Iraq and Syria, explaining Washington works daily to ensure the protection of forces and respond to attacks against them.

An opportunity to stop the war in Gaza

Regarding Washington’s efforts to stop the war on Gaza, Sullivan said: “During the remaining 50 days of President Joe Biden’s administration, we will work tirelessly to reach a ceasefire and conclude an agreement on the exit of hostages in Gaza, but the main obstacle is At the moment it is the Hamas movement, and its willingness to conclude a deal. I think that Hamas’s calculations have changed because it is now isolated because its supporters in Iran and elsewhere are busy with other conflicts. So I think We may have a chance to make progress, but I don't know exactly when that will happen."

Trump administration and coordination with allies

Regarding handing over tasks to President-elect Donald Trump’s team, and the advice he gives to the new administration, Sullivan said: “There are ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East, and they must work with determination and effective coordination with our allies.”

Competition with China

Sullivan added: “At the same time, we have not yet gotten rid of what I believe is the biggest challenge facing the United States in the long term, which is competition with China, which is the only country that has the ability to challenge the United States in all dimensions... and we must continue.” "In investing in ourselves, our allies, and our strength to make sure that we maintain our long-term national interests in this competition, so I will certainly talk to my successor about China."