Trump talks with Syria's al Sharaa to normalise Washington-Damascus ties

Trump urges al-Sharaa to deport Palestinians classified as “terrorists” and sign the Abraham Accords with Israel.

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WORLDWIDE:

United States President Donald Trump has announced that Washington is exploring the normalisation of ties with Damascus, following a historic meeting with Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa – the first such encounter in over two decades.

Trump confirmed the development on Wednesday during a summit with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh.

He also said the US would be lifting all sanctions imposed on Syria.

“With the support of the great leaders in this room, we are currently exploring normalising relations with Syria’s new government,” Trump said.

He described the lifting of sanctions as a “fresh start” for the war-ravaged nation and added that he had consulted with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about the move.

Removing US sanctions that cut Syria off from the global financial system will clear the way for greater engagement by humanitarian organisations and will ease foreign investment and trade as the country rebuilds from a civil war.

The White House said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will hold talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Türkiye to continue discussions on bilateral ties.

According to a White House statement, Trump urged al-Sharaa during their meeting to deport Palestinians classified as “terrorists,” sign the Abraham Accords with Israel, and assume responsibility for Daesh detention centres in northeast Syria.

The meeting came after months of speculation following the toppling of former President Bashar al-Assad in December during a rapid offensive by opposition fighters aligned with al-Sharaa.

Trump’s declaration was met with applause from Arab leaders present at the summit and celebrations in several Syrian cities on Tuesday night.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud told a press conference Riyadh will support Syria's economic recovery and that there are many investment opportunities in the country after sanctions are lifted.

US ally Israel has opposed sanctions relief for Syria and has escalated its military operations since Assad was toppled, saying it will not tolerate an Islamist presence in southern Syria.

Israel has seized ground in the southwest of the country, warned the Syrian government against deploying forces there, and has blown up much of the Syrian military's heavy weapons and equipment in the days after Assad fell.

The announcement marks a dramatic shift in US foreign policy towards Syria and is likely to reshape the country’s diplomatic position in the region after decades of isolation.