President Donald Trump welcomed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to the White House on Monday, in a historic visit that coincided with the U.S. Treasury Department’s decision to extend sanctions on Damascus for another six months.
Al-Sharaa, 43, a former al-Qaeda commander who toppled Bashar al-Assad last December, became the first Syrian leader to visit the White House since Syria gained independence in 1946. He has spent the past year rebranding himself as a leader focused on unifying Syria and ending the country’s decades-long isolation.
The Syrian presidency said the discussions centered on strengthening bilateral relations, regional and international issues, and ways to develop cooperation between the two nations.
Trump praised al-Sharaa, saying, “He comes from a very tough place, and he’s a tough guy. I like him. We’ll do everything we can to make Syria successful, because that’s part of the Middle East. We have peace now in the Middle East – the first time that anyone can remember that ever happening.” He also acknowledged the Syrian president’s controversial past, noting, “We’ve all had rough pasts.”
Al-Sharaa later told Fox News that his previous association with al-Qaeda was in the past and was not discussed during the meeting. He emphasized that Syria is now seen as a strategic partner rather than a threat. The White House visit follows their first meeting six months ago in Saudi Arabia, where Trump announced plans to lift sanctions, and comes days after the U.S. removed al-Sharaa from its list of “Specially Designated Global Terrorists.”
Captured by U.S. forces in Iraq during the U.S. occupation, al-Sharaa later led Syria’s branch of al-Qaeda, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which split from the network in 2016. Less than a year ago, the U.S. had offered a $10 million reward for information leading to his capture. Since taking power, al-Sharaa has adopted his birth name and promoted a message of tolerance and inclusivity. Earlier this year, he addressed the United Nations General Assembly, stating that Syria is “reclaiming its rightful place among the nations of the world” and seeking stronger ties with the U.S. and European Union.
Despite the significance of the meeting, al-Sharaa received a low-key reception at the White House. He entered through a side door without a formal greeting from Trump, and no joint press conference or photo opportunity took place. As he left, he briefly greeted supporters outside the compound.
An anonymous U.S. official confirmed that Syria would be allowed to resume operations at its embassy in Washington, improving coordination on counterterrorism, security, and economic matters. The move could also open the door for a possible U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria.
The visit came amid heightened security concerns, with Syrian authorities revealing that two separate ISIL assassination plots against al-Sharaa had been foiled in recent months. Over the weekend, the Syrian Ministry of Interior launched nationwide operations targeting ISIL cells, arresting more than 70 suspects.