URGENT UPDATE: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has made explosive claims during his unprecedented visit to Washington, asserting that President Donald Trump supports his demand for Israel to withdraw its troops from southern Syria. This significant development comes as both nations appear to realign their diplomatic ties, stirring reactions across political landscapes.
Al-Sharaa, who led the Al-Nusra Front, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, emphasized that the presence of Israeli troops in southern Syria remains a major obstacle to a prospective security pact, which the US aims to facilitate. He stated, “There is a good distance to go” before such an agreement can be achieved. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2022, Israeli forces have occupied territory in the region, establishing a buffer zone amid the ongoing turmoil of the Syrian Civil War.
In a direct challenge to Israeli policy, al-Sharaa has urged Israel to retreat to the December 8 borders, highlighting that this demand is backed by Trump. He accused Israel of pursuing “expansionist ambitions” but did not link a security agreement to a complete withdrawal from the contested Golan Heights, which Syria claims as occupied territory.
Al-Sharaa also dismissed Israeli calls for a demilitarized zone in southern Syria, questioning, “If this demilitarized zone was used by some parties as a launching pad for hitting Israel, who is going to be responsible for that?” He criticized Israel’s strategy of expanding control in Syria, suggesting it could lead to further territorial claims.
This visit has ignited controversy within Trump’s MAGA movement, given al-Sharaa’s history as a terrorist leader. Just last year, he was designated a wanted terrorist, raising alarm among Trump supporters. Influential far-right activist Laura Loomer publicly condemned the administration for engaging with al-Sharaa, 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 his past, recent developments have seen the US lifting sanctions on Syria, with both Washington and London removing HTS from their lists of terror organizations. On Tuesday, the US confirmed that Syria became the 90th nation to join the “Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS,” marking a pivotal moment in the fight against terrorism, according to Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria.
As these developments unfold, the implications for Syrian-Israeli relations and the broader geopolitical landscape remain uncertain. Al-Sharaa’s visit signals a potential shift in the region, but the complex history and ongoing tensions present significant challenges ahead.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as it continues to evolve.
