Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House in a meeting described as historic, and Syria announced it had joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS as its 90th member. The move came days after the U.S. removed Sharaa from its terrorism blacklist and signaled a possible resumption of diplomatic ties to improve counterterrorism and reconstruction coordination. The visit marks a dramatic shift for Sharaa, though analysts emphasize that major security and political challenges remain.
Historic White House Visit — Syria Joins Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS
Syria's leader Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House in a meeting described as historic, and Syria announced it had joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS as its 90th member. The move came days after the U.S. removed Sharaa from its terrorism blacklist and signaled a possible resumption of diplomatic ties to improve counterterrorism and reconstruction coordination. The visit marks a dramatic shift for Sharaa, though analysts emphasize that major security and political challenges remain.
01:43 PM, 11/11/2025Politics
Historic White House Visit — Syria Joins Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS
Syria announced it has joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, a U.S. official said Monday, hours after Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was received at the White House in a visit described by U.S. officials as historic.
The official said Syria became the coalition's 90th member and will partner with the United States to 'eliminate ISIS remnants and halt foreign fighter flows.' The announcement followed Washington's removal of Sharaa from its terrorism blacklist in a controversial decision earlier last week. Sharaa's movement, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), was formerly affiliated with al-Qaida.
President Donald Trump praised Sharaa, calling him 'a very strong leader' and saying he wanted Syria to become 'very successful' after more than a decade of civil war. Trump added that a stable Syria is important to broader Middle East diplomatic efforts and to maintaining the fragile ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
'People said he's had a rough past, we've all had rough pasts... And I think, frankly, if you didn't have a rough past, you wouldn't have a chance,' Trump said after the closed-door meeting.
The U.S. official also indicated that the United States may resume formal diplomatic relations with Syria to enhance counterterrorism, security and economic coordination. Photos released by Syria's presidency showed Sharaa beside the Resolute Desk and meeting with senior U.S. officials reportedly including the vice president and top defense and military aides.
Sharaa, 43, whose forces ousted longtime leader Bashar al-Assad late last year according to the accounts in this report, has sought international assistance for postwar reconstruction. Over the weekend he met International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina Georgieva to discuss potential aid, and he has pursued ties with other major powers, including a reported meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in October.
Analysts cautioned that Sharaa's transformation from militant commander to head of state will be watched closely. Michael Hanna of the International Crisis Group described the visit as 'a hugely symbolic moment' that highlights Sharaa's shift from militant leader to international statesman, while noting that significant challenges remain on security, governance and reconciliation.
As he left the White House complex, Sharaa briefly greeted supporters outside the motorcade, an image that underscored the dramatic arc of his rise—from a former U.S. bounty target to a partner in counter-ISIS diplomacy. U.S. and Syrian officials did not provide a full timetable for restoring diplomatic relations or detail the financial assistance that might follow.
Developing story: Officials on both sides described the announcement as a step toward greater cooperation on counterterrorism and regional stability, but many questions remain about implementation, verification of commitments, and international reactions.