Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has publicly asserted that his demand for Israeli withdrawal from southern Syria is backed by the United States. This claim emerged during an unprecedented visit to Washington, where al-Sharaa met with US President Donald Trump and senior members of his administration. In an interview with the Washington Post, al-Sharaa stated that there remains a “good distance to go” before Syria and Israel can establish a security pact, which the US is aiming to mediate.
One significant barrier mentioned by al-Sharaa is the presence of Israeli troops in southern Syria. Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2022, Israeli forces took control of a section of land west of the Golan Heights, designating it as a “buffer zone.” This move occurred amidst the chaotic conclusion of the prolonged Syrian Civil War and subsequent violence against the Druze minorities. With al-Sharaa now appearing to realign Syria with Western interests, he has called on Israel to withdraw to the December 8 borders. Notably, he did not link this demand to a complete withdrawal from the Golan Heights, which Syria regards as occupied territory.
Al-Sharaa criticized the Israeli request for a demilitarized zone in southern Syria, questioning its efficacy. He remarked, “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 further pointed out the paradox of Israel’s security measures, suggesting that continued occupation could lead to further territorial claims.
The visit has ignited political division within Trump’s MAGA movement, given al-Sharaa’s controversial past. The Syrian leader was listed as a wanted terrorist until recently, having led the Al-Nusra Front, the official Al Qaeda affiliate in Syria, under the nom de guerre Abu Mohammad al-Julani. His leadership of the Al-Nusra Front culminated in its merger with other militant groups to form Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which al-Sharaa currently leads.
Since his ascension, the US has lifted sanctions on Syria, and both Washington and London have removed HTS from their lists of designated terrorist organizations. Nevertheless, some factions within Trump’s voter base express discontent with diplomatic engagement with a former jihadist leader. Notably, Laura Loomer, a far-right activist and Trump ally, criticized the administration for hosting al-Sharaa, suggesting he should have been arrested upon arrival in the US. She expressed her frustrations on social media, questioning the decision to invite him for a photo opportunity on the day before Veterans Day.
It’s important to note that neither Al-Nusra nor HTS has had affiliations with the Islamic State and both groups opposed it during the Syrian Civil War, largely due to ideological differences. In a related development, the US confirmed that Syria has become the 90th member of its “Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.” Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria, called this a “pivotal moment in Syria’s history and in the global fight against terrorism.”
As the situation evolves, the implications of al-Sharaa’s visit and claims will likely continue to reverberate through both Syrian and international political landscapes.
