Washington (TDI): Syria will now join the US-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group, becoming its 90th member, as its President al-Sharaa met Trump at the White House.
Al-Sharaa, looking to rebuild his war-torn country and restore its place in the international community, became the first Syrian leader to visit the White House since Syria gained independence in 1946.
Following the meeting, US officials confirmed that economic restrictions on Syria would be eased and that the Caesar Act will be suspended for 180 days. The move aims to encourage investment and revive Syria’s war-damaged economy.
“We want to see Syria become a country that is very successful,” Trump said, calling al-Sharaa “a fighter capable of rebuilding the nation.”
The meeting marks a major shift in US-Syria relations, which were severed in 2012 but gave a glimpse of revival when Trump shook hands with al-Sharaa on the sidelines of a Gulf Summit in Saudi Arabia, earlier this year.
Read More: Putin Receives Syria’s al-Sharaa in First Meeting Since Assad’s Ouster
The trajectory of these developments suggests that Washington will now allow Damascus to reopen its embassy in the US capital, and that this meeting marks a revival of diplomatic ties suspended since 2012.
Security cooperation was reportedly a key agenda item in al-Sharaa’s talks with Trump, as Washington seeks to support Syria’s fragile political transition.
The US is also said to be mediating preliminary talks on a potential security agreement between Syria and Israel; both of which are actively fighting in the southern region of Syria.
Recent unconfirmed reports also suggest that Washington may soon establish a small military presence at an airbase near Damascus.
Al-Sharaa, once a leader of the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was removed from the US terrorist list just last week. His rise from militant commander to head of the state has gathered mixed reaction.
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