Syria has agreed to join the US-led international coalition fighting the Islamic State group, marking a major shift in Washington’s approach to the Middle East.
The announcement came after President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House — the first time a Syrian leader has ever made an official visit to the United States.
During the visit, both leaders described the talks as the beginning of a “new era” of cooperation. President Trump voiced strong support for al-Sharaa, who was once labeled a terrorist by the US but has since undergone a dramatic political transformation.
By joining the coalition, Syria becomes the 90th country to commit to eliminating the remnants of the Islamic State and restricting the movement of foreign fighters across the region.
Following their meeting, US officials revealed that the government will introduce new measures to ease economic restrictions on Syria. These steps will include updated guidance for investors and a temporary 180-day suspension of the Caesar Act, a law that had imposed sanctions on Syria’s former government since 2019.
Speaking from the Oval Office, President Trump said he wants to see Syria “become a very successful country” and believes al-Sharaa has the potential to lead that effort.
Diplomatic ties between both countries have been frozen since 2012, but the US has now approved the reopening of Syria’s embassy in Washington. This meeting marks the third time Trump and al-Sharaa have spoken this year, following earlier encounters at regional and international gatherings.
Al-Sharaa’s appearance at the White House highlights his striking shift from former jihadist commander to national leader. Until recently, he led an armed Islamist group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. His name was removed from the US terror list only last week.
Since rising to the presidency, al-Sharaa has tried to remake his public image as he steers Syria through the long process of rebuilding after more than a decade of conflict. However, his leadership has also been shadowed by violent clashes involving minority groups and reports of abuses by security forces. He has pledged to remove those responsible for human rights violations.
Trump has repeatedly praised al-Sharaa, calling him a “fighter” and expressing confidence in his ability to stabilize the country. Earlier this year, Trump signed an order lifting sanctions on Syria to support what the White House described as the country’s “path to stability and peace.” The US has stated it will continue monitoring the government’s actions, including efforts to curb extremist groups and normalize relations with neighboring countries.