During President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit, Syria announced its decision to join the global coalition to fight the Islamic State (ISIS), a White House official said on November 10. With this move, Syria becomes the 90th member of the alliance, cooperating with the U.S. to eliminate ISIS remnants and prevent foreign fighters from joining the terrorist group.
According to the official, the U.S. has also agreed to allow the Syrian embassy in Washington, D.C. to reopen, aiming to strengthen counterterrorism efforts, enhance security, and promote economic cooperation. The visit marked the first time a Syrian president has visited the White House since the Middle Eastern nation gained independence in 1946. Speaking to reporters during the meeting, Trump praised Sharaa as a “strong leader” and expressed confidence in his leadership.
“We will do everything we can to help Syria succeed,” Trump said.
Trump also acknowledged Sharaa’s controversial past, noting that he was once a member of the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and had been wanted by the U.S. “Honestly, if you don’t go through a tough past, you don’t get the chance,” Trump remarked.
The former president emphasized that Syria is now “an important part” of his broader Middle East peace plan. “A stable and successful Syria is vital for all nations in the region,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
In an interview with Fox News, Sharaa said his ties with HTS were “a matter of the past” and were not discussed during the meeting with Trump. He stated that Syria is now considered a geopolitical ally of the U.S., not a threat.
The Syrian presidential office confirmed that both leaders discussed bilateral relations, “ways to strengthen and develop cooperation, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.”
After the meeting, Trump posted on social media expressing his desire to continue dialogue with President Sharaa.
Sharaa, 43, came to power in December 2024 after HTS led a coalition of rebels that overthrew former president Bashar al-Assad. That same month, the U.S. lifted its arrest warrant for him. The new Syrian leadership has since sought to project a more moderate image.
HTS, which once had ties to al-Qaeda, was designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2013. The group formally cut ties with al-Qaeda in 2016 and focused on consolidating control in northwestern Syria. HTS was removed from the U.S. terrorist list in July.