Historic Shift: Syria Joins US-Led Coalition Against ISIS After Trump Meeting

Tue Nov 11 2025 20:17:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant development, Syria has officially joined the US-led coalition to combat the Islamic State group following a landmark meeting between President Donald Trump and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House.

Syria is set to become the 90th member of the global coalition against ISIS, marking a notable milestone in US foreign policy towards the Middle East. This shift follows a historic meeting between Trump and al-Sharaa, signaling a new era of cooperation. Additional economic sanctions against Syria are also being reconsidered, paving the way for future collaboration after years of tension. As al-Sharaa aims to stabilize Syria post-war, the US administration expresses optimism about the country's future under his leadership.

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 cooperate 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 is aimed at eliminating remaining elements of the so-called Islamic State and stemming the flow of foreign militants to the Middle East.

Following the meeting, a senior administration official confirmed that the US Treasury Department, along with the departments of state and commerce, will announce new measures to lift economic restrictions on Syria and provide 'compliance clarity for investors'.

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

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated, 'we want to see Syria become a country that's very successful.' He reiterated his belief in al-Sharaa's ability to lead the country towards this end.

Diplomatic relations between Syria and the US have been suspended since 2012; however, 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 and a dinner during the UN General Assembly in September.

Al-Sharaa's visit to the White House caps a remarkable rebranding for the former jihadist. Not long ago, he led a branch of Al-Qaeda before breaking off ties. He had a $10 million bounty on his head until just last week, when he was removed from the US terrorism list.

Syria's former president aims to stabilize the nation after a long civil war, with al-Sharaa promising to address human rights violations linked to the prior regime. Trump's support for al-Sharaa emphasizes a significant shift as the US looks to re-engage with Syria and promote regional stability.