"Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, capping an extraordinary period for the 42-year-old rebel-turned-ruler. Little under a year ago, al-Sharaa led Islamist fighters from Syria's northwest in a lightning offensive that toppled Bashar Assad after 14 years of civil war. He was the first Syrian head of state to visit the White House."
"The pair first met in Riyadh six months ago at a Gulf security summit. The US is brokering a possible security pact between Syria and Israel and considering a small military presence at a Damascus airbase, according to diplomatic sources. Trump, who recently lifted most US sanctions on Syria, said before the meeting that "a lot of progress has been made with Syria" and praised al-Sharaa as "a tough guy in a tough neighborhood.""
"Al-Sharaa's government has been consolidating control while facing renewed sectarian unrest that has killed more than 2,500 people since Assad's fall. Two Islamic State plots to assassinate him were reportedly foiled in recent months, prompting a nationwide crackdown on the group. However, skeptics of the Syrian leader have pointed to the wave of sectarian violence in which pro-government Sunni gunmen killed hundreds of civilians from the Alawite and Druze minorities."
Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former rebel leader who toppled Bashar Assad, met US President Donald Trump at the White House after rapidly consolidating power. Al-Sharaa sought full removal of US sanctions; the US Treasury extended the suspension of Caesar sanctions for 180 days while only Congress can lift them entirely. The United States is brokering possible security arrangements between Syria and Israel and is considering a limited military presence at a Damascus airbase. Al-Sharaa's government faces renewed sectarian unrest that has killed over 2,500 people, alleged assassination plots, and a nationwide crackdown on Islamic State elements.
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