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Trump met Al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia in May this year.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will meet US President Donald Trump at the White House today. He reached Washington on Sunday. This is the second meeting of the two leaders this year. Earlier in May 2025, both the leaders had met in Saudi Arabia.
Al-Shara, linked to Al Qaeda, was listed as terrorists by the US in 2013. There was a reward of 10 million dollars i.e. approximately Rs 84 crore on him. Al-Sharaa led a coup in Syria in December last year. He became the interim President of Syria on January 29 this year.
Two days ago, on November 7, America removed him from the terrorist list. US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott had said that Shaara’s government met US conditions such as searching for missing Americans and destroying weapons. Therefore he was removed from the list.
This is the first official visit by a Syrian president to the United States since Syria’s independence in 1946.
America will build a military base in Damascus
The agenda of this conversation is peace and business deal in Syria. American companies have worked on Syria’s energy master plan. American companies can get contracts for roads, bridges and housing.
During the American visit, Syria under Shara’s leadership may announce support for America against ISIS. According to media reports, America will build a military base near Damascus, where humanitarian aid and the Syria-Israel situation will be monitored.
Many other issues are expected to be discussed in this meeting, which will focus on improving US-Syria relations and increasing stability in the Middle East.
- Cooperation against ISIS: Signing of an agreement on the inclusion of Syria in the US-policy ‘Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS’. This is part of America’s ‘real-politics’ (practical diplomacy) with Al-Sharaa, which has the motive of strengthening regional security.
- Reconstruction: Discussions on rebuilding infrastructure damaged by the 13-year Syrian civil war (2011-2024) may seek $216 billion in aid. America can take steps towards providing assistance to Syria.
- Easing of restrictions: Efforts to gradually remove US sanctions (such as the Caesar Act). Al Shara, in his speech at the United Nations, has demanded their complete end, so that the burden on the Syrian people is reduced.
- Agreement with Israel: Steps toward an Israel-Syria border security agreement, which would be brokered by the US. This will form the basis of the fifth round of direct talks, which is to be held by the end of 2025. Also, there can be talks on the extension of the Abraham Accords.
Syrian President met American President after 25 years
US President Donald Trump met Al-Sharaa in Saudi Arabia in May. During this time, Trump had ordered the lifting of many sanctions imposed on Syria. In fact, America had banned oil, gas, banking and military goods including money transactions to weaken the Assad government.
This embargo largely cut off Syria from the world economically, politically and technologically. In 2019, the US Parliament enacted a law for strict sanctions on Syria.
However, there was a provision in this law that the US President could lift these restrictions in view of national security. Using this authority, President Trump removed all the bans.
This was the first time in 25 years that an American President had met the Syrian President. Earlier in 2000, there was a meeting between US President Bill Clinton and the then Syrian President Hafez al-Assad (father of Bashar al-Assad) in Geneva (Switzerland).
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa (right) with Trump. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) was also present during this meeting.
Al-Sharaa was known as Al-Julani.
Ahmed al-Shara left medical studies in 2003 and came in contact with al Qaeda leaders. He was arrested by the US Army in 2005 and sent to jail. After his release from prison, al-Sharaa formed Jabhat al-Nusr, the Syrian branch of al Qaeda.
In 2016 he seceded from al Qaeda and founded Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Julani took power after the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. After this the world came to know his real name.
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