Trump Meets Syria’s al-Sharaa, Ends U.S. Sanctions/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa in Riyadh, signaling a seismic shift in U.S. policy and a potential end to decades of isolation for Syria. Trump praised al-Sharaa and announced plans to lift U.S. sanctions imposed under the Assad regime. The move drew praise across Syria but concern from Israel over al-Sharaa’s militant past.
Syria Policy Shift Quick Looks
- Trump holds historic meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa
- First U.S.-Syria leader-level meeting in 25 years
- Trump announces move to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria
- Al-Sharaa praised by Trump as a “fighter” and “leader”
- Syrians celebrate in Damascus as sanctions removal announced
- Israel urges caution, concerned about al-Sharaa’s extremist background
- Trump says Syria may join Abraham Accords and recognize Israel
- Turkey’s Erdogan joins meeting by phone, backs new Syrian gov’t
- Trump seeks Syrian help in detaining ISIS prisoners
- Potential signal of full U.S. military withdrawal from Syria
Deep Look: Trump Meets Syria’s New Leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, Ends Sanctions and Opens Door to Diplomatic Reentry
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — In a diplomatic moment with far-reaching implications, President Donald Trump met with Syria’s newly installed interim president Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Riyadh, making him the first U.S. president in a quarter century to engage directly with Syrian leadership. The meeting not only ended decades of estrangement but also signaled a bold new chapter in U.S.–Syria relations.
Speaking afterward from Air Force One, Trump hailed al-Sharaa as “a young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter.” That “strong past,” of course, includes al-Sharaa’s years as a militant under the nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, where he had ties to al-Qaida and led insurgent operations during the Iraq War. He was even imprisoned by U.S. forces before emerging as a leading figure in Syria’s post-Assad transformation.
“He’s got a real shot at holding it together,” Trump said. “He led a charge, and he’s pretty amazing.”
Sanctions Lifted, Applause in Damascus
In a dramatic policy reversal, Trump declared he would end U.S. sanctions on Syria, initially imposed during the Assad regime.
“I am ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria to give them a fresh start,” Trump told Gulf Cooperation Council leaders. “The sanctions were really crippling. This gives them a chance for greatness.”
The response in Syria was immediate. Crowds poured into Umayyad Square in Damascus, waving flags and setting off fireworks. Cars honked their horns and celebratory chants filled the air. The state-run SANA news agency called it a “pivotal turning point” that could pave the way for national recovery.
Closed-Door Diplomacy in Riyadh
The historic 30-minute meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa was closed to press, but the White House confirmed that the Syrian leader flew into the Saudi capital specifically for the face-to-face. It marked the first such meeting between the U.S. and Syria since Bill Clinton and Hafez Assad met in 2000.
Also present in the discussion were Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and via phone, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose government backed al-Sharaa’s faction in Syria’s civil war.
“I felt very strongly that this would give them a chance,” Trump told reporters. “It’s not going to be easy anyway, so this gives them a good strong chance. And it was my honor to do so.”
Trump Eyes Syrian Recognition of Israel
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Trump pushed al-Sharaa to recognize Israel and join the Abraham Accords — the normalization framework Trump launched in his first term. While Syria has not officially confirmed it, Trump said al-Sharaa seemed open, responding “Yes” when asked about potential recognition.
“I told him, ‘I hope you’re going to join when it’s straightened out.’ He said ‘Yes.’ But they have a lot of work to do,” Trump added.
Security Concerns and ISIS Detention
A major portion of the conversation focused on regional security. Trump reportedly asked al-Sharaa to take responsibility for detention centers holding 9,000 ISIS fighters, currently controlled by Kurdish-led forces in Syria. Under a deal struck in March, Syria’s central government will assume control over all borders, oil fields, and infrastructure in Kurdish-held areas by year’s end.
The request is also a potential signal of full U.S. military withdrawal from Syria, as Trump looks to shift the security burden to regional partners.
A Boost for Syria, a Concern for Israel
While Gulf allies including Saudi Arabia and Turkey hailed the move as an opportunity to counter Iran’s influence, the decision drew criticism from Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had privately urged Trump not to lift sanctions, citing al-Sharaa’s extremist past and potential threats along Israel’s northern border.
One Israeli official warned that Syria could become a staging ground for attacks similar to Hamas’ October 7, 2023, assault if al-Sharaa is emboldened.
Nonetheless, Trump said the support of MBS and Erdogan was instrumental.
“We commend the decision made yesterday by President Trump to lift the sanctions on the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic,” the crown prince said at the GCC meeting, adding it would “alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people.”
Syria’s Future in the Balance
Al-Sharaa came to power in January following a stunning insurgent offensive that toppled the Assad regime after over five decades. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has since rebranded itself as a national movement and declared the establishment of a transitional government.
His past as a jihadist figure continues to spark debate, but many regional leaders argue that al-Sharaa represents a rare chance at stabilizing a fractured Syria and stemming Iran’s resurgence.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement after the meeting praising Trump’s leadership.
“The removal of these sanctions offers a vital opportunity for Syria to pursue stability, self-sufficiency, and meaningful national reconstruction — led by and for the Syrian people,” it said.
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