Syria Joins Global Anti‑IS Coalition as US Eases Sanctions

Summary

Syria has agreed to join the international coalition against the Islamic State, becoming the coalition's 90th member, a senior US official confirmed after Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa met President Donald Trump at the White House — the first-ever visit by a Syrian leader. The administration said Treasury, State and Commerce will roll out measures to lift economic restrictions and give investors "compliance clarity," and announced an 180‑day suspension of the Caesar Act. The US will also allow Syria to reopen its embassy in Washington as diplomatic ties, severed since 2012, begin a cautious reset.

Al-Sharaa's visit caps a rapid rehabilitation: he was removed from the US terrorist list last week after years as a militant leader, including past ties to al‑Qaeda and leadership of Hayat Tahrir al‑Sham. Trump publicly backed the interim president as Syria seeks reconstruction and foreign investment, while US officials said they will monitor steps such as action against foreign militants and moves toward normalising ties with Israel. Al‑Sharaa has pledged to address abuses by security forces amid ongoing sectarian violence in parts of the country. as reported by BBC

This story has also been reported by: New York Times, France 24