BREAKING: Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has just announced that US President Donald Trump supports his demand for Israel to withdraw troops from southern Syria. This unexpected revelation comes as al-Sharaa concludes a historic visit to Washington, where he met with senior administration officials to discuss security arrangements in the region.
During his meetings, al-Sharaa emphasized that there is still a “good distance to go” before Syria and Israel can finalize a security pact, which the US aims to mediate. Central to these negotiations is the presence of Israeli troops in southern Syria, which al-Sharaa claims must be addressed for peace to be achieved.
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2022, Israeli forces seized control of a strategically important area west of the Golan Heights, establishing a “buffer zone” amid the chaos of the ongoing Syrian Civil War. Al-Sharaa’s recent statements signal a potential realignment of Syria with Western interests. He called on Israel to retreat to the “December 8 borders,” asserting that Trump is in agreement with this demand.
Al-Sharaa criticized Israel’s “expansionist ambitions” while rejecting the notion of a demilitarized zone in southern Syria. He argued, “If this demilitarized zone was used by some parties as a launching pad for hitting Israel, who is going to be responsible for that?” He accused Israel of imposing conditions to protect its territorial claims rather than fostering genuine security.
The political implications of al-Sharaa’s visit are profound, igniting discord within Trump’s base, particularly among his MAGA supporters. Al-Sharaa, known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani, is a former leader of the Al-Nusra Front, an Al-Qaeda affiliate. His rise to power has led the US to lift sanctions on Syria and remove Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its list of terrorist organizations.
Despite these developments, some of Trump’s supporters express outrage over his engagement with al-Sharaa, highlighting his controversial past. Laura Loomer, a prominent far-right activist, criticized the Trump administration, questioning the decision to welcome a figure once deemed a terrorist. She stated, “Sometimes I feel like some of the people who work for President Trump deliberately go out of their way to sabotage him.”
In a related move, the US confirmed that Syria has become the 90th nation to join its “Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.” This coalition aims to strengthen international efforts against terrorism, with US special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, describing it as “a pivotal moment in Syria’s history.”
As negotiations progress, all eyes will be on the evolving dynamics between Syria, Israel, and the US. The international community is urged to monitor these developments closely, as they may reshape the geopolitical landscape of the region.
For more updates on this developing story, stay tuned.
