DST News: Syria is set to join the US-led international coalition aimed at defeating the Islamic State (IS) group, marking a dramatic shift in relations between Washington and Damascus. A senior US administration official confirmed the development following a historic meeting between President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House.
It is the first time a Syrian head of state has visited Washington.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, President al-Sharaa described the visit as the beginning of a “new era” of cooperation with the United States. He said his government intends to work closely with Washington to stabilize Syria and counter extremist networks still operating in the region.
Syria will now become the 90th member of the global coalition formed to dismantle the remnants of IS and curb the movement of foreign fighters.
Shift in US Policy and Sanctions Relief
The US Treasury, along with the State and Commerce Departments, is preparing to roll out new measures easing long-standing economic restrictions on Syria. This includes a 180-day suspension of the Caesar Act, which had imposed strict sanctions on the previous Syrian government since 2019.
The steps are intended to encourage investment and economic recovery in Syria, officials said.
After the meeting, President Trump told reporters he believed Syria had the potential to become “a very successful country” and expressed confidence in al-Sharaa’s leadership. “I think this leader can do it,” Trump said.
A Remarkable Rebranding
Al-Sharaa’s rise to international legitimacy has been striking. Once linked to extremist networks, he previously led a faction aligned with al-Qaeda before severing ties. Until earlier this year, he headed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group the US designated as a terrorist organization. A $10 million bounty on him was lifted only last week, when the Treasury Department removed his name from its “specially designated global terrorist” list.
Since assuming the role of Syria’s interim president, al-Sharaa has moved to reshape his public image and secure foreign support to rebuild the country after 13 years of war. His administration has faced accusations of violence against minority communities, although he has pledged to hold security forces accountable for abuses.
Asked about his past, al-Sharaa told Fox News that he and Trump focused instead on Syria’s “future as a geopolitical and economic partner of the United States.”
Trump defended the Syrian leader’s history, saying: “He has had a rough past. If you didn’t have a rough past, you wouldn’t have a chance.”
Diplomatic Ties Restored
Diplomatic relations between the two nations had been suspended since 2012. As part of the thaw, Syria will now be permitted to reopen its embassy in Washington.
Monday’s meeting was their third this year, following talks hosted by the Gulf Cooperation Council in May and a private dinner during the UN General Assembly in September.
In June, President Trump signed an executive order lifting key sanctions on Syria, saying it would support the country’s “path to stability and peace.” The administration said it would continue to evaluate Syria’s progress on counterterrorism and efforts to normalize relations with Israel.
Source: BBC
