Syria to Join Coalition Against ISIS Following Historic Trump Meeting

Sat Dec 20 2025 23:47:27 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy, Syria announces its participation in a coalition against ISIS after a historic meeting between President Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Syria is set to join the U.S.-led coalition to combat the Islamic State group, a decision confirmed during a meeting between President Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking a turning point in U.S. relations with Syria. Following the meeting, the U.S. plans to ease economic sanctions on Syria and support its path to rebuilding after years of conflict.

Syria will join the international coalition to combat the Islamic State group, marking a shift in US foreign policy in the Middle East, a senior Trump administration official has confirmed.

The announcement came as President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House - the first such visit from a Syrian leader in the country's history.

In an interview with Special Report on Fox News, al-Sharaa said the visit was part of a new era in which the country would co-operate with the US.

Trump has expressed his support for al-Sharaa, who until recently was designated a terrorist by the US government.

Syria will now be the 90th country to join the global coalition, which aims to eliminate remaining elements of the so-called Islamic State and stem the flow of foreign militants to the Middle East.

After the meeting, a senior administration official also indicated that the US Treasury, Department of State, and Department of Commerce would announce new measures to lift economic restrictions on Syria and provide compliance clarity for investors.

As part of these measures, the administration is issuing an 180-day suspension of the Caesar Act, which had sanctioned the previous Syrian government since 2019.

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office following the meeting, Trump stated, We want to see Syria become a country that's very successful. He added, And I think this leader can do it. I really do.

Diplomatic relations between Syria and the US have been suspended since 2012, although the US will now allow Syria to re-open its embassy in Washington.

This is the third meeting between the two leaders, following one in May during the Gulf Cooperation Council and a dinner at the UN General Assembly in September.

Al-Sharaa's visit caps a remarkable re-branding for the former jihadist, who led a branch of Al-Qaeda until breaking off ties. Just last week, he was removed from the Treasury Department's specially designated global terrorist list.

Since becoming interim president, al-Sharaa has worked to soften his public image as he seeks to rebuild Syria after 13 years of war.

In his interview, al-Sharaa indicated he and Trump focused on Syria's present and future as a geopolitical and economic partner of Washington.

Despite al-Sharaa’s efforts, his rule has been marred by violence between different ethnic groups within Syria. He has vowed to root out members of his security forces responsible for human rights violations.

Trump has voiced personal support for al-Sharaa, framing him as a capable leader with a tumultuous past. In June, he signed an executive order lifting sanctions against Syria as part of a push towards stabilizing the nation.