Syrian President Ahmed al‑Sharaa downplayed his past affiliation with al‑Qaeda during his first visit to the United States. In an interview with Fox News, he distanced himself from the September 11 attacks, describing his former ties to the terrorist group as “a matter of the past.” Al‑Sharaa said he was only 19 at the time, had no decision‑making power, and was not involved in the 2001 plane hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.
Al‑Sharaa, recently removed from the U.S. State Department’s “global terrorist” list, met with President Donald Trump at the White House. He previously led the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS), a regional offshoot of al‑Qaeda that played a key role in the coalition of anti‑government forces that seized Damascus in December 2024, toppling longtime president Bashar Assad. While he pledged to rebuild Syria as an inclusive state, his rule has been marked by sporadic sectarian violence against Druze, Alawite, and Christian communities.
In the interview, al‑Sharaa emphasized the need for coordination between Syria and the United States to counter the terrorist group Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS). He also expressed hope that Trump could help facilitate a deal with Israel, which expanded its occupation of southwestern Syria in 2024.
The Syrian president’s visit to the United States marks a significant shift in relations following his removal from the terrorist list. His efforts to distance himself from his al‑Qaeda past and his stated commitment to rebuilding Syria suggest a desire for a new trajectory for the war‑torn country. However, ongoing sectarian violence and questions about his ability to deliver on promises mean that international observers will be watching closely to see how al‑Sharaa’s leadership shapes Syria’s future.
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