Syria has officially joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, marking a dramatic shift in international relations following President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s historic visit to Washington — the first by a Syrian leader since the country’s independence in 1946.
A senior US official confirmed the development just hours after President Donald Trump welcomed Sharaa to the White House for landmark talks. The move comes less than a week after Washington removed Sharaa from its terrorism blacklist, recognizing his government as the legitimate authority following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad late last year.
“During the visit, Syria announced that it is joining the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS,” the official said, adding that Syria has become the 90th member of the alliance. The partnership aims to “eliminate ISIS remnants and stop foreign fighter flows.”
The official also stated that Syria will be allowed to resume diplomatic relations with the United States to enhance cooperation on counterterrorism, security, and economic issues.
Trump praised Sharaa’s leadership, calling him “a very strong leader” capable of steering Syria toward stability after more than a decade of civil war. “He’s a tough guy from a tough place,” Trump said, expressing hope that Syria would play a major role in his broader Middle East peace initiative, which includes efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
However, Trump declined to confirm whether Syria would sign a non-aggression pact with Israel. In a subsequent Fox News interview, Sharaa acknowledged that Syria’s dispute with Israel over the Golan Heights remained an obstacle to peace talks but suggested that Washington could help facilitate future negotiations.
The visit marked a remarkable transformation for Sharaa, a former jihadist leader once linked to Al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and previously wanted by the US with a $10 million bounty. His public appearance outside the White House, where he greeted cheering supporters, underscored his newfound legitimacy.
Syria’s presidency stated that the two leaders discussed strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional and international challenges. Photos shared on X showed Sharaa smiling and shaking hands with Trump in the Oval Office, alongside Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine.
According to Michael Hanna of the International Crisis Group, Sharaa’s visit represents “a hugely symbolic moment — a milestone in his astonishing transformation from militant commander to global statesman.”
During his trip, Sharaa also met with IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva to explore potential economic aid for Syria’s reconstruction efforts. His administration continues to navigate a delicate balance, seeking Western support while maintaining diplomatic outreach to powers like Russia, where Sharaa met President Vladimir Putin in October for the first time since Assad’s removal.
