Trump Hosts Syrian Leader Al-Shara at White House, Extends ISIS Coalition Invitation

WISE NEWS PRESS / WASHINGTON D.C., USA — Nov. 12, 2025

US President Donald Trump hosted Syrian transitional leader Ahmad al-Shara at the White House on Monday, using the opportunity to invite the once-ostracized nation to join the US-led coalition against ISIS. The visit marks the first time a Syrian head of state has traveled to Washington since the country gained independence from France in 1946.

Al-Shara left the White House after nearly two hours of talks and greeted supporters waiting outside the gates.

Trump: "I Believe He Can Do the Job"

Following the meeting, President Trump told reporters, "We will do everything we can to make Syria successful because this is important for the stability of the Middle East." Speaking about Al-Shara, Trump commented: "I believe he can do the job." Trump had previously met Al-Shara in Riyadh, saying the Syrian leader was "young, impressive, has a difficult background. A warrior."

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt characterized Monday’s visit as "part of the President’s diplomatic efforts to meet with everyone worldwide in pursuit of peace." An official speaking to the Associated Press (AP) indicated that "Damascus could find opportunities for further cooperation with Washington by joining the anti-ISIS coalition."

Sanctions Relief and Congressional Debate

The visit followed the UN Security Council's decision last Thursday to lift sanctions targeting Al-Shara and Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab.

Among Al-Shara's priorities is securing the permanent lifting of US sanctions imposed on Syria due to the human rights violations by the overthrown Assad government and its security forces. While the Caesar Act sanctions were temporarily waived by Trump, their permanent cancellation requires approval from the US Congress.

The US Treasury Department announced on Monday a 180-day extension of the waiver for the Caesar Act. Experts caution that the conditional lifting of sanctions could still pose "a shadow that paralyzes all initiatives in the country" for companies looking to invest in Syria.

Al-Shara: Symbol of the Post-Assad Era

Al-Shara, who led the opposition forces that toppled Assad in December 2024, took office as the transitional head of state in January 2025. Twenty years ago, he was held in a US-controlled detention facility in Iraq after joining Al-Qaeda militants fighting US forces.

After severing ties with Al-Qaeda years ago, Al-Shara has succeeded in re-establishing diplomatic relations with countries that had internationally isolated the Assad regime during the 14-year civil war that began in 2011.

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