By: The Trek News Desk
In a significant foreign policy move, Syria has officially joined the U.S.-led international coalition to combat the ISIL (ISIS) armed group, marking a turning point in its diplomatic posture after years of global isolation.
The announcement followed a meeting between Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa confirmed that both sides signed a Political Cooperation Declaration, pledging Syria’s commitment to “counterterrorism and regional stability.”
A Political Pact – Not Yet Military
Minister al-Mustafa clarified on social media that the agreement is strictly political at this stage, with no military components included for the time being.
With this move, Syria becomes the 90th member of the U.S.-led global coalition against ISIL, whose mission is to dismantle the militant group’s remaining networks and curb the flow of foreign fighters across the Middle East.
Pre-Emptive Raids Before Al-Sharaa’s U.S. Visit
Ahead of President al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington, Syria’s Interior Ministry launched nationwide operations targeting suspected ISIL hideouts.
According to the state-run Al-Ikhbariyah TV, security forces conducted 61 raids, arresting 71 suspects and seizing large quantities of explosives and weapons.
ISIL Assassination Plots Thwarted
Syrian authorities also disclosed that two assassination attempts against President al-Sharaa, allegedly orchestrated by ISIL, had been foiled in recent months.
Security officials said the incidents highlight the ongoing threat the new president faces as he works to consolidate control over a nation fragmented by 14 years of civil war.
U.S. Sanctions Suspended, Ties Recalibrated
During Monday’s White House meeting, President Trump praised al-Sharaa’s efforts against extremism and announced a six-month suspension of U.S. sanctions on Syria.
The 43-year-old Syrian leader came to power last December after toppling former President Bashar al-Assad in a swift military campaign.
Al-Sharaa, once the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, was removed from Washington’s global “terror list” last week, prompting the cancellation of a $10 million bounty that had been placed on his capture.
A New Chapter in Regional Diplomacy
Analysts see Syria’s inclusion in the coalition as a strategic realignment that could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics.
After more than a decade of civil conflict, the move signals Damascus’s re-entry into mainstream diplomacy, potentially paving the way for renewed ties with Western powers.
Experts also warn that Syria’s alignment with Washington could disrupt the delicate balance of influence between the U.S. and Iran, two powers long competing for dominance in the region.
A Cautious Rebranding
President al-Sharaa’s policy appears aimed at redefining Syria’s international image from a pariah state to a partner in counterterrorism.
While Washington has hailed the development as “a positive step in the global fight against terrorism,” regional observers remain sceptical.
They argue that the true test of this alliance will come when Syria’s political promises are translated into concrete military and strategic actions on the ground.
Source: News Agencies
