Syrian President Sharaa Visits US Following Sanctions Lift

Tue Dec 02 2025 23:31:48 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Ahmed Sharaa, the newly appointed Syrian President, arrives in the US for talks with President Trump just days after the lifting of his terrorist designation. The meeting aims to discuss strategies against the Islamic State group, while Sharaa seeks to reestablish Syria's international relations.

Ahmed Sharaa, the President of Syria, has arrived in Washington for crucial discussions with US President Donald Trump, following the recent revocation of his designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. This visit comes as Sharaa's government actively works to combat remnants of the Islamic State and seeks to rehabilitate Syria’s international standing after years of conflict and isolation. Amidst ongoing security challenges and internal unrest, Sharaa aims to establish a moderate governance model to unify various ethnic factions in Syria.

Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa has arrived in Washington for an official visit, just two days after the US formally revoked his status as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

The former Islamist militant is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, approximately 11 months following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad by Sharaa's rebel alliance.

Following his arrival in the US capital, Syrian security services reported the detention of dozens of suspected members of the Islamic State group, signaling a continued threat from the remnants of this terrorist organization.

Discussions on collaborative efforts to address the Islamic State are expected to be a priority during Sharaa's talks with Trump.

Syrian authorities announced the arrest of 71 suspected militants, along with the seizure of weapons and explosives.

Since assuming power, Sharaa has sought to re-establish Syria's presence on the global stage after years of isolation under the Assad regime and over a decade of civil war.

In September, Sharaa addressed the UN General Assembly, emphasizing Syria's desire to reclaim its rightful place among nations and urging the international community to lift sanctions.

Earlier this week, the UN Security Council supported a US resolution to remove sanctions, aligning with ongoing efforts by Washington to gradually ease restrictions on Syria and its new leadership.

On Friday, Sharaa and his interior minister, Anas Hasan Khattab, were removed from a list of individuals accused of supporting extremist groups, a decision that the US Treasury attributed to the progress by the Syrian leadership.

Sharaa had previously been known as Muhammad al-Jawlani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which had affiliations with al-Qaeda until separating in 2016. He has a history of fighting with al-Qaeda in Iraq and was formerly held by US forces under a $10 million bounty.

The US previously lifted sanctions against HTS earlier this year.

During a prior meeting with Sharaa in May, Trump referred to him as a tough guy with a strong past.

Despite his controversial background, Sharaa has garnered support from governments opposing the Assad regime, pledging to lead a moderate government that can unite Syria’s diverse ethnic groups.

This year, he committed to removing elements from his security forces implicated in executing members of Syria's Alawite minority.

However, recent violence between Sunni Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militias raises concerns about the HTS-led government's ability to restore stability in a nation mired in conflict for over a decade.