Syria has signed a political cooperation declaration to join the US-led coalition against ISIL, officials said, becoming the coalition's 90th member after President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Donald Trump at the White House. Syrian state media reported 61 raids, 71 arrests and weapons seizures in nationwide operations targeting ISIL cells. Reuters quoted unnamed officials saying two assassination plots against al-Sharaa were foiled in recent months. Trump reportedly praised al-Sharaa and agreed to a six-month pause on certain US sanctions; some biographical claims in the reports should be independently verified.
Syria Signs Political Pact to Join US-Led Coalition Against ISIL After White House Visit
Syria has signed a political cooperation declaration to join the US-led coalition against ISIL, officials said, becoming the coalition's 90th member after President Ahmed al-Sharaa met with President Donald Trump at the White House. Syrian state media reported 61 raids, 71 arrests and weapons seizures in nationwide operations targeting ISIL cells. Reuters quoted unnamed officials saying two assassination plots against al-Sharaa were foiled in recent months. Trump reportedly praised al-Sharaa and agreed to a six-month pause on certain US sanctions; some biographical claims in the reports should be independently verified.
03:49 PM, 11/11/2025Security
Syria joins US-led coalition against ISIL
Syria has formally signed a political cooperation declaration to join the US-led international coalition aimed at defeating ISIL (ISIS), Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa and US officials said. The announcement followed Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's visit to Washington and a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Political, not military, cooperation
Al-Mustafa described the document as a "political cooperation declaration" and said it currently contains no military components. The agreement makes Syria the coalition's 90th member; the coalition's stated goals include preventing foreign fighters from swelling ISIL's ranks and eliminating remaining ISIL cells across the Middle East.
Security operations and alleged plots
State-run Al-Ikhbariah TV reported that Syrian security forces conducted 61 raids, arrested 71 people and seized explosives and weapons in nationwide preemptive operations targeting ISIL cells. Reuters, citing unnamed officials, said Syrian authorities had foiled two alleged ISIL plots to assassinate President al-Sharaa over the past few months.
The officials told Reuters the disrupted plots underscore the personal security risks facing al-Sharaa as he seeks to consolidate authority in a country fragmented and devastated by 14 years of conflict.
White House meeting and sanctions pause
During their White House meeting, President Trump praised al-Sharaa and agreed to a six-month suspension of certain US sanctions on Syria, according to US statements.
Background and verification note
The reporting also describes al-Sharaa as a 43-year-old leader who, according to the article, seized power from former leader Bashar al-Assad in December and had previously been associated with the armed group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. It states he was recently removed from Washington's "terror" list and that a $10 million reward for his capture was cancelled. These biographical and historical claims are significant and should be independently verified through additional reputable sources, as they represent serious developments.
Note: This article summarizes official statements and media reports. Some claims—particularly those about leadership changes and past affiliations—require further independent confirmation.