Historic Dialogue After 25 Years: Syrian President Meets U.S. President at High-Level Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Historic Dialogue After 25 Years: Syrian President Meets U.S. President at High-Level Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Shara on Wednesday in Saudi Arabia, marking the first high-level meeting between the two nations in 25 years. This meeting signals a potential turning point for war-torn Syria.

President Trump described President al-Shara as a “young, handsome, tough, and fierce” leader, adding, “He has a strong past. He’s a true leader. He led a movement and he is truly remarkable.”

Al-Shara, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani, fought against U.S. forces in Iraq and later participated in the Syrian civil war. He was imprisoned for several years by American forces.

U.S. Lifts Sanctions on Syria

Trump announced that the United States would lift sanctions on Syria. Following this declaration on Tuesday night, crowds gathered in Umayyad Square in Damascus to celebrate with fireworks and wave the new Syrian flag.

Trump stated:

“I am ordering the lifting of these sanctions to give Syria a chance at a fresh start. These sanctions were truly devastating.”

Trump's Decision Despite Israeli Objections

Trump’s decision was met with concern from Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had personally urged Trump not to lift the sanctions, citing fears that al-Shara’s Islamist background and leadership of HTS (Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham) could pose future security threats to Israel’s northern border.

However, Trump revealed that al-Shara agreed to join the Abraham Accords and eventually recognize Israel, although Syria has not yet officially confirmed this.

U.S.-Syria Security Partnership

The White House Press Secretary stated that Trump told al-Shara he must:

• Expel all foreign terrorists from Syria

• Cooperate to prevent the resurgence of ISIS

• Take responsibility for ISIS detainees, currently held in over a dozen prisons run by Kurdish-led, U.S.-backed forces

Turkey’s Support and Administrative Expansion

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also joined the meeting via video call. Turkey has been one of the main supporters of al-Shara’s rebel faction.

Under an agreement signed in March this year, northeastern Syria’s oil fields, airports, and border crossings will gradually be handed over to central government control, hinting that the U.S. may fully withdraw its military presence from Syria in the future.

Response from Syria’s Foreign Ministry

In an official statement, the Syrian Foreign Ministry said:

“This meeting marks the beginning of a turning point for the Syrian people. The lifting of sanctions provides a crucial opportunity for stability, self-reliance, and national reconstruction.”