US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House, on Monday, in the first visit of a Syrian president to Washington. Reuters I mentioned.
The meeting comes at a time when the United States announced that it would extend the partial suspension of its sanctions on Syria for another 180 days.
According to the US Department of the Treasury, the renewal of the exemption under the Caesar Sanctions Act “indicates our commitment to continuing to ease sanctions on Syria.” However, the ministry said restrictions would remain in place on “transactions involving the governments of Russia and Iran” and on the transfer of goods or services of Russian or Iranian origin.
The rise of Sharia and shifting alliances
Al-Sharaa (43 years old) took power in December last year after his forces overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad. His visit to Washington follows his previous meeting with Trump in Saudi Arabia, where the US president announced plans to ease some sanctions.
Since then, Syria has turned away from its traditional allies, Iran and Russia, and toward improving relations with Türkiye, the Gulf states, and now the United States.
A silent welcome from the White House
Reuters Shara’s arrival was kept low-profile, and little ceremony was usually accorded to the visiting leaders, it said. He entered through a side entrance instead of the main West Wing door, and journalists were not allowed to enter the Oval Office during the meeting.
The White House did not explain this simple welcome.
Focus on sanctions and security
Trump praised Shara’s leadership and support for Syria’s efforts to rebuild relations with the West.
While many US sanctions have already been eased, the 2019 Caesar Act, the toughest set of measures, remains in place. Fully lifting these sanctions requires congressional approval.
A senior US official told Reuters that the administration would “fully support” repealing the Caesar sanctions through legislative action.
Talks about security and the threat of ISIS
Security issues were expected to be high on the agenda, as the United States works to mediate a potential security agreement between Syria and Israel.
Reuters It also stated that Washington is considering establishing a small military presence at an air base in Damascus as part of a broader cooperation effort.
Syria is expected to join the US-led coalition against ISIS, and an official announcement is expected after the White House talks.
Hours before the meeting, Syrian and regional officials said this Reuters The authorities foiled two plots to assassinate Al-Sharaa, planned by members of the Islamic State.
The Syrian Ministry of Interior said it launched a nationwide campaign over the weekend against ISIS cells and arrested more than 70 suspects.
The Trump administration has framed its approach as helping Syria through a “fragile transition” after years of civil war. Al-Sharaa’s visit is seen as a sign of Washington’s increasing engagement with Damascus after more than a decade of isolation.
(Tags for translation)Donald Trump
