Riyadh: In a stunning diplomatic development, former U.S. President Donald Trump met and shook hands with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa — once a wanted jihadist with a $10 million bounty — during a summit with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders in Saudi Arabia.
Sharaa, previously known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, rose to power after leading Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in toppling the Bashar al-Assad regime six months ago. His past includes heading Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, Al Nusra Front, and orchestrating attacks across the region. He was designated a global terrorist by the U.S. in 2013.
The meeting, brokered by Turkey and hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marked the first U.S.-Syria presidential interaction in 25 years. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined via phone.
Today, President Trump, at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. President Erdogan of Turkey joined by phone. President Erdogan praised President Trump for lifting sanctions on Syria and committed to working alongside Saudi… pic.twitter.com/0yhyZbQ1o0
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) May 14, 2025
Trump’s spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the former president praised Sharaa as a “tough guy with a strong past,” and encouraged him to pursue peace, prevent an ISIS resurgence, and support chemical disarmament. Trump also thanked both Erdoğan and the Crown Prince for their roles in arranging the meeting.
Sharaa, in return, thanked Trump for lifting U.S. sanctions on Syria and expressed commitment to regional stability, including honoring the 1974 disengagement agreement with Israel.
However, the move has raised eyebrows. According to CNN, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier warned Trump against lifting sanctions, fearing a repeat of the October 7 Hamas attacks.
The meeting marks a bold geopolitical shift, bringing a former militant face-to-face with a U.S. president — and potentially reshaping Syria’s future.
