Trump lays out asks of Syria in exchange for sanctions relief
President Donald Trump recently held a crucial meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, where he urged Sharaa to fully normalize relations with Israel in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump emphasized the importance of Syria signing onto the Abraham Accords with Israel, expelling all foreign terrorists from the country, deporting “Palestinian terrorists,” assisting the U.S. in preventing the resurgence of ISIS, and taking control of ISIS detention centers in northeast Syria.
Currently, there are approximately 10,000 ISIS fighters imprisoned in the region, with the responsibility of keeping them detained falling on the U.S.-backed Kurdish militia known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The U.S. has around 1,400 troops stationed in Syria to combat ISIS.
During the meeting, Trump also expressed his optimism for Saudi Arabia to join the accords in the future, despite the kingdom’s previous stance that it would only do so once there was a clear path for Palestinian statehood. Additionally, Trump announced his decision to lift sanctions on Syria and meet with its new leader, al-Sharaa, who was previously targeted with a $10 million U.S. bounty.
In his remarks, Trump acknowledged the challenges that Syria has faced, stating, “In Syria, which has seen so much misery and death, there is a new government that we must all hope will succeed in stabilizing the country and keeping peace.” He wished Syria luck and encouraged the nation to showcase its potential.
Al-Sharaa, along with his group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), played a significant role in overthrowing Bashar al-Assad last year. While originally founded as an al-Qaeda offshoot, HTS distanced itself from the terrorist group in 2016.
Following the meeting, Syrians took to the streets to celebrate the announcement of sanctions relief. Trump’s visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates was also marked by discussions with government leaders who advocated for lifting sanctions to aid Syria’s economy.
Both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Erdoğan supported Trump’s decision to lift sanctions, with Trump jokingly mentioning, “Oh, what I do for the crown prince.” Senator Lindsey Graham, who expressed his inclination to support sanctions relief, highlighted Israel’s continued concerns about the situation in Syria.
As Trump’s Middle East tour began, the potential for Syria to normalize relations with Israel emerged as a strategic opportunity. The region is poised for significant developments as efforts are made to address security, stability, and peace in the war-torn nation.
