Trump’s Call for Syrian-Israeli Relations

President Donald Trump has urged Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully normalize ties with Israel, proposing the lifting of sanctions in exchange. During a significant meeting on Wednesday, Trump encouraged Sharaa to sign Abraham’s agreements with Israel and demanded the departure of foreign terrorists from Syria, including what he termed “Palestinian terrorists.” He expressed the need to prevent the resurgence of ISIS and to address concerns about detention centers in northeastern Syria, where around 10,000 ISIS fighters are incarcerated.

Currently, there are about 1,400 U.S. troops in Syria focused on combating ISIS. Trump remarked on Tuesday that it would be ideal for Saudi Arabia to join this diplomatic effort, although he acknowledged that Riyadh likely prefers to wait for a clear path to a Palestinian state before doing so.

Recently, Trump declared he would lift sanctions against Syria, even indicating a willingness to meet with a newly appointed leader who once had a bounty of $10 million on his head.

“In Syria, a nation grappling with immense suffering, we have a new government, and we need to stabilize and foster peace,” Trump stated. He expressed optimism for Syria’s future, wishing the country “good fortune.” Al-Sharaa played a role in removing Bashar al-Assad from power last year, leading a group known as Hayat Taharil Al-Sham (HTS). Although originally tied to al-Qaeda, HTS broke away from the terrorist organization in 2016.

This development coincides with Trump’s tour across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, where there are hopes that easing sanctions could bolster Syria’s economy. “I hope the new government can succeed,” Trump remarked, urging Syria to demonstrate significant progress.

Meanwhile, both Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Erdogan have advocated for the lifting of sanctions, indicating broader regional support for this initiative.