In brief
Syria's inclusion in the US-led coalition against ISIS marks a pivotal change in US foreign policy towards the Middle East. This decision follows a historic first official visit by a Syrian leader to Washington, where President Trump expressed his support for al-Sharaa, who was recently removed from the US terrorist list. The meeting highlights potential diplomatic normalization between the two nations after years of tensions.
Syria will join the international coalition to combat the Islamic State group, marking a shift in US foreign policy in the Middle East, a senior Trump administration official confirmed to CBS, the BBC's US media partner.
The announcement came as President Donald Trump met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the White House - the first such visit from a Syrian leader in the country's history.
Diplomatic relations between Syria and the US have been suspended since 2012, although Trump has moved to restore them after the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Trump has expressed his support for al-Sharaa, who until recently was designated a terrorist by the US government.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office several hours after the meeting, Trump said that we want to see Syria become a country that's very successful.
And I think this leader can do it, he added. I really do.
The meeting underscores Syria’s rebranding under al-Sharaa, who was previously associated with jihadist groups but is now striving to establish a new image while seeking international support for rebuilding the war-torn country.
Al-Sharaa’s visit to the White House is a significant turning point, reflecting the shifting dynamics in the region and the potential for a new phase in US-Syrian relations.
