Syria's New Leader Sharaa Visits the US After Sanctions Lifted

Sun Nov 09 2025 09:34:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa has arrived in Washington for talks with President Trump just after his designation as a terrorist was revoked. The discussions focus on combating the remnants of ISIS and restoring Syria's international relations.

Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa is in Washington for official talks with President Trump following the lifting of sanctions against him. This visit comes after Sharaa's previous status as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist was revoked, marking a significant shift in U.S.-Syria relations. During their meeting, the two leaders are expected to discuss joint efforts against ISIS and Sharaa's aim to re-establish Syria's position on the global stage after years of isolation and conflict.

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 will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, eleven months after his rebel alliance ousted Bashar al-Assad.

Just hours before his arrival, it was reported that Syrian security services had detained dozens of suspected members of the so-called Islamic State group, making joint combat against this group a key topic for discussion.

Syrian authorities stated that they arrested 71 suspects and seized weapons and explosives.

Sharaa assumed power amid efforts to restore Syria's global standing, which had been overshadowed by years of conflict and isolation under previous regimes. Recently, he addressed the UN General Assembly, advocating for the removal of sanctions against his nation.

This week, the UN Security Council supported a resolution to lift anti-Syrian measures, acknowledging the new leadership's commitment to reform.

Sharaa was previously listed as Muhammad al-Jawlani, a former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which had ties with al-Qaeda until 2016. Trump's recognition of Sharaa's moderate approach has garnered support from various governments in the region.

The success of Sharaa's leadership remains uncertain amid rising tensions and violence in Syria, including conflicts among different ethnic groups. In this context, his commitment to fostering a stable government and reining in security forces implicated in past atrocities will be put to the test.