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Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa Arrives in Washington for High-Level Talks
Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa landed in Washington on Sunday, less than 48 hours after the U.S. officially removed him from its list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists. The visit marks a significant diplomatic shift, coming 11 months after his rebel coalition toppled Bashar al-Assad's government following a 13-year civil war.
Sharaa is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, with counterterrorism cooperation expected to dominate discussions. Hours before his arrival, Syrian security forces announced the detention of 71 suspected Islamic State (IS) members, seizing weapons and explosives in the operation.
From Militant Leader to Diplomatic Recognition
Sharaa, formerly known as Muhammad al-Jawlani, led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an al-Qaeda-affiliated group until 2016, when he publicly severed ties. Once a U.S. target with a $10 million bounty on his head, he now seeks to reposition Syria on the global stage after decades of isolation under Assad.
In September, Sharaa addressed the UN General Assembly, declaring Syria's intent to "reclaim its rightful place among nations" and urging the lifting of international sanctions. The U.S. has since eased restrictions, culminating in Friday's Treasury Department decision to delist him and Interior Minister Anas Hasan Khattab, citing "progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership."
U.S. Sanctions Relief and Regional Backing
The UN Security Council endorsed a U.S.-led resolution this week to lift measures against Syria, aligning with Washington's gradual sanctions rollback. Sharaa's transformation from militant commander to a Western-engaged leader has drawn cautious support from governments that opposed Assad, particularly after his pledges to form a moderate, inclusive government.
"He's a tough guy, very strong past," Trump remarked during their May meeting in Riyadh, where the two leaders first discussed counterterrorism efforts.
Challenges to Stability Persist
Despite diplomatic gains, Sharaa's government faces internal strife. Recent clashes between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze militias have raised doubts about his ability to unify Syria's fractured ethnic and factional groups. Earlier this year, he vowed to purge security forces accused of targeting the Alawite minority, a move aimed at easing sectarian tensions.
Counterterrorism Collaboration on the Agenda
The White House visit follows the U.S. lifting sanctions on HTS in early 2025, reflecting a strategic pivot toward engagement. Analysts suggest Sharaa's background-once a fighter for al-Qaeda in Iraq and a U.S. detainee-now positions him as a pragmatic partner in combating IS remnants, though his past remains contentious.
Developing story. Updates to follow as meetings proceed.
