Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has downplayed his past affiliation with Al-Qaeda during his first visit to the United States. In an interview with Fox News, al-Sharaa distanced himself from the 9/11 attacks, stating that his involvement with the terrorist group was “a matter of the past.” He claimed to have had no decision-making power at the time, being only 19 years old, and denied any involvement in the 2001 plane hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.

Al-Sharaa, who was recently removed from the US State Department’s “global terrorist” list, met with President Donald Trump at the White House. He had previously led the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a regional offshoot of Al-Qaeda, which played a key role in the coalition of anti-government forces that seized Damascus in December 2024, toppling Syria’s longtime president, Bashar Assad.

Despite his pledge to rebuild Syria as an inclusive state, al-Sharaa’s rule has been marked by sporadic sectarian violence against Druze, Alawite, and Christian communities. In his interview, he emphasized the need for coordination between Syria and the US to counter the terrorist group Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS). Al-Sharaa also expressed hope that Trump can facilitate a deal with Israel, which expanded its occupation of southwestern Syria in 2024.

The Syrian president’s visit to the US marks a significant shift in his relationship with the country, following his removal from the terrorist list. Al-Sharaa’s efforts to distance himself from his past affiliation with Al-Qaeda and his expressed commitment to rebuilding Syria may indicate a desire to establish a new trajectory for the war-torn country. However, his rule remains marred by ongoing sectarian violence, and his ability to deliver on his promises remains to be seen. As the situation in Syria continues to unfold, international observers will be watching closely to see how al-Sharaa’s leadership will shape the country’s future.