Ex-jihadist only removed from US terror list on Friday
©APA/AFP
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in the United States on Saturday for an official visit. The state-run Syrian news agency reported this after the US removed the ex-jihadist from its terror list on Friday. On Thursday, the United Nations Security Council lifted sanctions against al-Sharaa. Al-Sharaa will be welcomed by US President Donald Trump on Monday for a historic visit to the White House.
Al-Sharaa’s Islamist HTS militia and allied groups overthrew long-time Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The HTS is a former branch of Al-Qaeda, but broke away from the terrorist network years ago. Since taking office as interim president, al-Sharaa has tried to project a more moderate image.
USA plans military base near Damascus
According to US Syria envoy Tom Barrack, the former jihadist is expected to sign an agreement during his visit on Syria’s entry into the US-led international coalition to fight the jihadist militia Islamic State (IS). According to diplomats, the USA is also planning to set up a military base near the Syrian capital Damascus.
In addition to gaining prestige by welcoming a Syrian head of state to the White House for the first time in the history of modern Syria, Al-Sharaa, on the other hand, is likely to be hoping for financial commitments for the reconstruction of his country, which has been destroyed by years of civil war.
