Politics Syria's head of state with Trump - No rapprochement with Israel
US President Donald Trump received interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House as the first Syrian head of state since the Arab country gained independence in 1946.
11.11.2025, 06:06
SDA
"We want Syria to be a very successful country. And I think this leader can do that," said Trump. In the course of the US rapprochement with Syria following the fall of long-term ruler Bashar al-Assad almost a year ago, Trump had already suspended US sanctions against Syria. This suspension has now been extended by six months.
Syria in turn joined the US-led coalition to fight the Islamic State (IS) terrorist militia, albeit not militarily at first. Syria recently signed a political cooperation agreement with the international coalition "reaffirming its role as a partner in the fight against terrorism and in support of regional stability," wrote Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa on Platform X. "The agreement is of a political nature and does not yet contain any military components," the minister emphasized.
Al-Sharaa: Must reach an agreement with the USA on IS
Al-Sharaa told the US broadcaster Fox News after his meeting with Trump that there were reasons for the US military presence in his country, but emphasized according to the translation: "This must now be done in consultation with the Syrian government". It was necessary to "discuss these matters and reach an agreement on IS". In the interview, al-Shaara also ruled out direct talks on normalizing relations with neighbouring Israel for the time being.
When asked about Trump's wish that Syria should also join the so-called Abraham Accords for a normalization of diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states, al-Sharaa pointed to Israel's ongoing occupation of the Golan Heights. The conditions for Damascus were therefore different to those states that had already joined the agreements, said the interim president.
No direct negotiations with Israel
"Syria has a border with Israel, and Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967. We will not enter into direct negotiations at this time," said al-Sharaa. "Perhaps the US government under President Trump can help us achieve such a negotiation." Trump initiated the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between several Arab states and Israel, in 2020 during his first term in office.
The neighboring countries of Israel and Syria have officially been at war since 1948, and a peace treaty has never been concluded. Israel has also occupied the strategically important Golan Heights since the Six-Day War in 1967. Israeli air strikes on military targets such as weapons depots in Syria were stepped up after the fall of ruler Bashar al-Assad. According to Israel, this is to prevent weapons and especially chemical weapons from falling into the hands of extremists. In addition, Israeli troops have continued to advance into Syrian territory in a buffer zone on the Golan Heights since Assad's fall.
Turning point in relations between the USA and Syria
Al-Sharaa's reception at the White House marked a significant turning point in relations between the USA and Syria. Just a year ago, al-Sharaa was considered a wanted terrorist in the USA - and Syria was in the final weeks of a bloody civil war. He once fought as a jihadist against US forces in Iraq and was their prisoner for years.
As the head of the Islamist group Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), he ended the decades-long rule of the Assad family in December 2024 with the help of a rebel alliance. Since the beginning of the year, al-Shaara has been at the helm of Syria as interim president and is trying to reconnect his long-isolated country with the international community.
Increased cooperation
The US State Department has now announced that both sides have agreed to implement a roadmap for cooperation. The aim is also to restore relations at ambassadorial level and reopen joint institutions. The decision to ease sanctions against Syria is intended to promote reconstruction and stability in the country after years of civil war. However, they have not been lifted completely, as can be seen in a document from the US Treasury Department.
The USA is also keen to further curb Iran's influence in Syria. The Islamic Republic was one of Assad's most important allies. The actions and direction of the transitional government in Syria are being closely monitored internationally. Experts see a will towards democratic change, but are also critical of the new leadership's first few months. In particular, the focus is on the protection of minorities in a deeply divided Syria. Since the fall of Assad, there have been repeated outbreaks of violence in which hundreds of people have been killed.
