Trump Meets Syria's Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, Pushes...

Trump Meets Syria's Sharaa in Saudi Arabia, Pushes for Israel Normalisation

*Syrian president Ahmed al-Sharaa (left), US President, Donald Trump (right)*

Zim Now Writer

In a stunning diplomatic development, U.S. President Donald Trump met with Syria’s newly installed president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The meeting marked the first step toward normalising U.S.-Syria relations following Washington’s unexpected announcement to lift all sanctions on the war-torn nation.

The historic encounter took place ahead of a U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council summit and was attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan joining virtually, according to Turkey’s Anadolu News Agency.

During the meeting, Trump urged Sharaa to follow the path taken by the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Morocco—nations that normalised ties with Israel under the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020. Trump expressed hope that Syria would be the latest to join the initiative, despite the complex geopolitical landscape.

Trump's decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria signals a major shift in American foreign policy. The move has sparked criticism from within the administration and from U.S. allies, including Israel, over Sharaa’s past ties to al Qaeda. Sharaa, who severed links with the extremist group in 2016, rose to power after overthrowing former president Bashar al-Assad in December.

Israeli officials have raised alarms, labeling Sharaa’s administration a jihadist regime. The Israeli government has reportedly intensified military operations in Syria's southwest, targeting heavy weaponry and warning Damascus against deploying Islamist forces near the border.

Despite the controversy, Saudi Arabia welcomed the lifting of sanctions. At a press briefing, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud pledged support for Syria’s economic recovery, citing opportunities for foreign investment and humanitarian engagement previously blocked by international sanctions.

“The lifting of sanctions opens the door for rebuilding Syria, restoring institutions, and promoting stability,” Prince Faisal said.

Sharaa, once a top figure in al Qaeda’s Syrian wing and a former U.S. detainee, now leads a fragile transitional government. His administration faces challenges from remnants of Assad loyalists and continued sectarian violence. In March, brutal clashes between government forces and Islamist militias resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths, prompting sharp condemnation from Washington.

According to the Syrian Foreign Ministry, the Trump-Sharaa dialogue included discussions on combating terrorism and reducing the influence of non-state armed actors such as ISIS. A follow-up meeting is scheduled between Syrian officials and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to deepen bilateral cooperation.

Trump’s four-day Gulf tour also saw major economic announcements. Saudi Arabia committed to $600 billion in U.S. investments, alongside a $142 billion arms deal. In Qatar, where Trump travels next, Qatar Airways is expected to unveil a massive purchase agreement with Boeing for up to 100 wide-body jets.

Trump is also slated to visit the United Arab Emirates before possibly flying to Turkey for a potential trilateral meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

Throughout the trip, Trump has voiced concern over the ongoing Gaza conflict. According to Prince Faisal, the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have agreed to work together to end the violence and ensure the release of hostages held by Hamas.