Al-Sharaa at the White HouseTrump praises Syria’s interim president as a “tough guy”
Recently wanted terrorist, now a state guest at the White House: Syria’s interim President al-Sharaa met with President Trump during his visit to the US. He assured him of help in the fight against ISIS.
For the first time since the country’s independence in 1946, a Syrian head of state was a guest in Washington. US President Donald Trump welcomes interim Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House. “He’s a very strong leader,” Trump said after a meeting about former al-Sharaa jihadists. Trump praised al-Sharaa for its strength. “He comes from a very tough environment and he is a tough guy,” said the US president. He wants Syria to be “very successful.” Al-Sharaa “can do it, I’m very confident,” Trump added.
After the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, Trump suspended US sanctions on Syria in May. This suspension has now been extended for a further 180 days. The US Department of State supports the full lifting of sanctions imposed in 2019. However, the US Congress must vote on this.
Syria joins the coalition against ISIS
The US envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, had previously stated that Syria would join the US-led coalition to fight the ISIS terrorist organization. Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa wrote in X that Syria had signed a related cooperation agreement. Trump would not confirm that or whether al-Sharaa would sign a non-aggression pact with Syria’s longtime enemy, Israel. In 2014, ISIS controlled large areas of Syria and neighboring Iraq. Terrorist militias control parts of Syria and 40 percent of Iraq. Although considered militarily defeated, it is estimated that around 2,500 ISIS fighters are still active in the two countries and are also carrying out attacks.
Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, who was also received at the White House, described the meeting as constructive. The preparations have been going on for months. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that both parties had agreed to implement a cooperation roadmap. The aim is to restore diplomatic relations at the embassy level, reopen joint institutions and strengthen political and economic cooperation.
Contrary to usual practice, the meeting between the two heads of state took place away from cameras. “The President of Syria has arrived at the White House,” the US officially announced. “The meeting between President Trump and President al-Sharaa has begun.” The Syrian Presidency released an image of Trump in the Oval Office shaking hands with a smiling al-Sharaa. After the meeting, al-Sharaa emerged from his motorcade in front of the White House to greet his supporters.
The US wants to limit Iran’s influence
Al-Sharaa was just removed from its terror list by the US on Friday, making a visit to Trump possible. The day before, on Washington’s initiative, the UN Security Council decided to lift sanctions against the former jihadist. The Islamist HTS Al-Sharaa militia was a former al-Qaeda branch, but broke away from the extremist network several years ago. Since taking office, the interim president has sought to achieve a more moderate image and international recognition.
Al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington is seen as a milestone in post-Assad Syria. Observers talk about a turning point in relations between Syria and America. The US also wants to curb Iran’s influence in Syria. The Islamic Republic and its allied militias have been one of Assad’s main allies.
Internationally, the actions and directives of the transitional government in Syria are being closely monitored. Experts see a desire for democratic change, but have also been critical of the first months of the new leadership. The focus is primarily on protecting minority groups in divided Syria. Since Assad’s fall, violence has repeatedly occurred, some of which has killed hundreds of people. Security forces from the interim government were also involved.
