In a landmark diplomatic development, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first such engagement between the two nations in 25 years. The meeting, which also included Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (via phone), was hailed by Syria as "historic" and indicative of a potential shift in international relations.
The discussions centered on lifting U.S. sanctions imposed during Bashar al-Assad's regime and supporting Syria's recovery and reconstruction efforts. President Trump announced the complete lifting of these sanctions, a move celebrated in Damascus and seen as a significant economic opportunity for the war-torn nation.
Key topics included enhancing Syrian-American cooperation in counterterrorism, particularly in eliminating the influence of non-state actors like ISIS. The leaders also addressed the importance of Syria joining the Abraham Accords and normalizing relations with Israel.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, led the rebel alliance Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in a swift offensive that toppled Assad's regime in December 2024. Since then, he has renounced his militant past, dissolved HTS, and pledged to form an inclusive government, aiming to reintegrate Syria into the international community.
The meeting signifies a potential turning point for Syria after years of civil war and international isolation, with the U.S. emphasizing the significance of aiding Syria's recovery and reintegration into the global economy.
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