US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House, marking a significant moment as the once-isolated Syrian leader entered a U.S.-led global coalition. This visit represents the first time a Syrian head of state has met with a U.S. president since Syria gained independence from France in 1946.
Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, arrived at the White House mid-morning and quickly began discussions in the Oval Office. As the leader of rebel forces that overthrew Syrian President Bashar Assad last December, he was appointed as the country’s interim leader in January. Despite his controversial past, including alleged ties to al-Qaeda and a £7.6 million bounty on his head, Trump praised him as “a young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past, very strong past. Fighter.”
Who is Al-Sharaa?
Born in Saudi Arabia, Al-Sharaa grew up in a middle-class family before returning to Syria and living in Damascus. He studied at Damascus University for two years before moving to Iraq in 2003 without informing his family. There, he joined the forces of al-Qaeda’s branch in Iraq and was arrested by U.S. forces. After his release in 2011, he was sent back to Syria to establish al-Qaeda’s presence there.
Over time, Al-Sharaa began to shift toward more moderate politics, gradually distancing himself from extremist views. He became a member of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (the Organisation for the Liberation of Syria), which emerged from the 2011 uprising against Assad’s regime. The brutal crackdown on peaceful protests led to a civil war that continues to this day.
In 2023, Al-Sharaa allowed the first Christian mass to be held in years in the city of Idlib. As his forces advanced and defeated Assad, he pledged to protect Syria’s Christian communities. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December, Al-Sharaa was chosen as the interim leader of the new Syrian government.
A Significant Meeting
This meeting marks the first official encounter between the U.S. and Syria since 2000, when then-president Bill Clinton met Hafez Assad, the father of Bashar Assad. Trump has expressed approval of Al-Sharaa’s leadership, stating that he is “doing a very good job so far” and that “a lot of progress has been made with Syria” since the U.S. eased sanctions.
According to an official familiar with the administration’s plans, Syria’s inclusion in the global coalition fighting ISIS will enable closer cooperation with U.S. forces. However, it is worth noting that the new Syrian military and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces in the northeast had already been engaged in combat against ISIS prior to this development.
The meeting highlights a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Syria, signaling a willingness to engage with a leader who has long been viewed with suspicion. As the region continues to evolve, the implications of this alliance remain to be seen.