UPDATE: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has just announced that President Donald Trump supports his demand for an Israeli troop withdrawal from southern Syria. This declaration comes during al-Sharaa’s unprecedented visit to Washington, where he engaged in crucial discussions with top US officials.
Al-Sharaa, previously under a $10 million US bounty as the leader of an Al Qaeda affiliate, emphasized that a significant barrier to a potential security pact between Syria and Israel is the continued Israeli military presence in southern Syria. He stated, “There is a good distance to go” before any agreement can be reached, signaling the urgency of these developments for both nations.
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December, Israeli forces captured land west of the Golan Heights, establishing a “buffer zone” amidst ongoing violence in the region. Al-Sharaa has now called for Israel to retreat to the “December 8 borders,” a move he asserts is backed by the Trump administration. He criticized Israel for its perceived “expansionist ambitions” but did not condition a security deal on a complete withdrawal from the Golan Heights, a territory Syria claims as occupied.
In a striking statement, al-Sharaa condemned the Israeli demand for a demilitarized zone, questioning, “If this demilitarized zone was used by some parties as a launching pad for hitting Israel, who is going to be responsible for that?” His remarks highlight the complex dynamics at play as Syria seeks to realign itself with Western powers.
Al-Sharaa’s visit has ignited political division within Trump’s MAGA movement, given his controversial past. As Abu Mohammad al-Julani, he led the Al-Nusra Front, which later merged into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Since al-Sharaa took office, the US has lifted sanctions on Syria, and both Washington and London have removed HTS from their lists of proscribed terror groups, raising concerns among some of Trump’s supporters.
Notably, influential far-right activist Laura Loomer criticized the administration’s engagement with al-Sharaa, suggesting he should have been arrested upon arrival in the US. She expressed her frustration on social media, questioning the judgment of those who facilitated the meeting.
Amid these developments, the US confirmed that Syria has joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, becoming the 90th nation to do so. Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria, described this as a “pivotal moment” in the fight against terrorism.
The implications of al-Sharaa’s assertions and the evolving political landscape in Syria are significant, as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of a protracted civil war and ongoing instability. As these events unfold, all eyes will be on the potential shifts in alliances and the future of US-Syrian relations.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it unfolds.
