BREAKING: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has just claimed that U.S. President Donald Trump backs his demands for Israel to withdraw troops from southern Syria. This revelation comes during al-Sharaa’s unprecedented visit to Washington, where he met with Trump and senior administration officials.
Al-Sharaa stated in an interview with the Washington Post that there is still a “good distance to go” before Syria and Israel can finalize a prospective security pact, with the U.S. aiming to mediate the discussions. He emphasized that a primary obstacle remains the presence of Israeli forces in southern Syria, a situation that escalated following the fall of the Assad regime last December.
During the chaotic conclusion of the Syrian Civil War, Israeli troops took control of land west of the Golan Heights, establishing what they describe as a “buffer zone.” Al-Sharaa has now demanded that Israel pull back to the December 8 borders and accused Israel of pursuing “expansionist ambitions.” Notably, he did not condition a security deal on the full withdrawal from the Golan Heights, which Syria considers occupied territory.
“If this demilitarized zone was used by some parties as a launching pad for hitting Israel, who is going to be responsible for that?” al-Sharaa remarked, criticizing Israel’s proposed conditions.
His visit has sparked intense political backlash within Trump’s MAGA movement, as al-Sharaa was listed as a wanted terrorist as recently as last year. Under the alias Abu Mohammad al-Julani, he led the Al-Nusra Front, an official affiliate of Al Qaeda. His leadership in the merger that formed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) is particularly controversial.
Despite his past, the U.S. has lifted sanctions against Syria and removed HTS from its list of proscribed terror groups. However, dissatisfaction remains among some Trump supporters regarding diplomatic engagement with al-Sharaa. Influential far-right activist Laura Loomer criticized the administration, stating, “Who said ‘let’s invite the ISIS terrorist to the White House for a photo op in the Oval Office the day before Veterans Day?’”
Despite these concerns, the U.S. confirmed that Syria has become the 90th nation to join its “Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.” Tom Barrack, the U.S. special envoy for Syria, hailed the move as “a pivotal moment in Syria’s history and in the global fight against terrorism.”
This developing situation is crucial for understanding the future dynamics of U.S.-Middle East relations and the ongoing conflict in Syria. As al-Sharaa seeks to realign Syria with the West, the implications for regional stability and security are profound.
WHAT’S NEXT: Attention will now turn to the response from Israeli officials and the wider implications for U.S. foreign policy in the region. Keep an eye on further developments as the situation unfolds.
