Riyadh, Wednesday — US President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in the Saudi capital ahead of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, a day after announcing the lifting of US sanctions on Syria. The Washington Post reported that the meeting took place as part of Trump’s strategic regional visit focused on strengthening US-Middle East relations.
The unexpected sanctions relief announcement stirred mixed reactions within Washington. Some administration officials expressed concern due to Sharaa’s past designation as a terrorist linked to Al Qaeda. Sharaa, a former rebel commander who overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December and renounced extremist ties in 2016, now leads Syria’s transitional government.
Despite Israeli opposition to easing pressure on Syria, Trump said he acted following the encouragement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, both of whom maintain close ties with the US leader.
In Damascus, Syrians celebrated the news, welcoming the potential economic revival and renewed diplomatic engagement. Trump’s ongoing four-day tour of the Gulf states includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. His first day featured grand ceremonies and the signing of major deals, including a \$600 billion Saudi investment in the US and \$142 billion in American arms sales.
Later today, Trump will travel to Doha for a state visit with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. Qatar is expected to announce substantial investments in the US economy.
Observers are closely monitoring Trump’s engagement with Sharaa to assess the seriousness of Washington’s new approach toward Damascus. This shift signals a potential transformation in US-Middle East relations, with new alliances and economic partnerships redefining the region’s geopolitical landscape.
