Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa arrived in Washington for an official visit, two days after the United States formally revoked his status as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. He is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday.
Context of the Visit
This visit occurs approximately eleven months after Sharaa's alliance removed Bashar al-Assad from power. Discussions between Sharaa and Trump are expected to focus on joint efforts to address remaining elements of the Islamic State group within Syria.
Recent Developments in Syria
Hours prior to President Sharaa's arrival in the US capital, Syrian security services announced the detention of 71 suspected members of the Islamic State group. Weapons and explosives were reportedly seized during these operations.
Sanctions and International Standing
President Sharaa has prioritized reestablishing Syria's international presence following decades of isolation under the Assad regime and a 13-year civil conflict. In September, he addressed the UN General Assembly, advocating for Syria's reintegration into the global community and calling for the removal of international sanctions.
Earlier this week, the UN Security Council supported a US resolution to lift certain measures. This coincided with a months-long process by Washington to gradually ease sanctions on Syria and its new leadership.
On Friday, the US Treasury Department removed Sharaa and his Interior Minister, Anas Hasan Khattab, from a US register of individuals suspected of supporting or funding extremist groups. The Treasury Department cited "progress demonstrated by the Syrian leadership" as the basis for this decision.
Sharaa's Background
Sharaa was previously identified under the alias Muhammad al-Jawlani, a name he used as the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). HTS was affiliated with al-Qaeda until Sharaa severed ties in 2016. Prior to leading HTS, Sharaa was involved with al-Qaeda in Iraq and was at one point detained by US forces. He was also subject to a $10 million American bounty. The US had previously lifted its sanctions on HTS earlier this year.
Governance and Internal Challenges
President Sharaa has sought to secure support from international governments that opposed the Assad regime by pledging to establish a moderate government capable of gaining broad backing from Syria's diverse ethnic and factional groups.
Earlier this year, he committed to addressing elements within his security forces that faced accusations of executing members of Syria's Alawite minority. Recent reports also indicate instances of deadly violence between Sunni Bedouin tribal fighters and Druze militias, which have prompted discussions regarding the HTS-led government's capacity to restore stability to the country.