Syria is set to join the international coalition aimed at combating the Islamic State group, according to a confirmation from a senior official in the Trump administration. This announcement follows a meeting between President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, a notable event as it marks the first visit by a Syrian leader to the U.S. in history.
U.S.-Syria diplomatic relations have been suspended since 2012, although the Trump administration has shown a willingness to restore them following the decline of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. President Trump has publicly supported al-Sharaa, who was previously designated a terrorist by the U.S. government.
In comments made post-meeting, Trump expressed a desire to see a prosperous future for Syria and conveyed optimism about al-Sharaa’s capabilities as a leader. He mentioned that further announcements regarding U.S.-Syria relations will be forthcoming, though specifics were not provided. This meeting follows two others between the leaders, including discussions during the Gulf Cooperation Council and at the UN General Assembly.
Al-Sharaa’s visit signifies a significant change in perception for a leader who previously led a faction associated with Al-Qaeda. Until recently, he was the head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an armed group that the U.S. designated as a terrorist organization, and just last week, he was removed from the Treasury Department’s terrorist list. Since assuming the position of interim Syrian president, al-Sharaa has attempted to reshape his public image and focus on Syria’s recovery after years of war.
Despite his leadership, al-Sharaa’s tenure has faced scrutiny due to allegations of violence against Syria’s Alawite minority and clashes involving Sunni and Druze groups. He has pledged to address human rights violations within his security forces. Following the meeting, President Trump indicated continued support for al-Sharaa, emphasizing the complexity of his past. In June, the Trump administration lifted sanctions against Syria, with a stated goal of promoting stability and peace in the region, while monitoring the new government’s actions regarding normalization with Israel and the handling of foreign terrorists.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgvz6316zwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss