Syria’s newly appointed leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, extended congratulations to U.S. President Donald Trump on his recent inauguration, expressing optimism about the role Trump could play in the region. Sharaa believes that Trump has the potential to “bring peace to the Middle East.”
In a statement, Sharaa’s administration declared, “We are confident that he is the leader to bring peace to the Middle East and restore stability to the region.” The statement reflects a hopeful outlook for collaboration and progress under Trump’s leadership.
The statement further emphasized their intentions for improved bilateral ties, stating, “We look forward to improving the relations between our two countries based on dialogue and understanding.” Sharaa’s government sees this as an opportunity to rebuild bridges with the United States.
Ahmed al-Sharaa rose to power through the efforts of his Islamist faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which orchestrated a major offensive that resulted in the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad on December 8. This marked a significant shift in Syria’s political landscape.
With the conflict that ravaged Syria for over 13 years leaving immense destruction in its wake, the new leadership is prioritizing financial assistance to help rebuild the nation. The transitional government is seeking aid to address the extensive damage caused by years of war.
Additionally, Sharaa’s administration has been actively pushing for the removal of sanctions that Western countries had imposed on the Assad regime. These sanctions remain a key obstacle to the country’s economic recovery.
However, international governments have shown caution in their approach to the new regime. Many have expressed a desire to observe how the authorities will govern before making decisions about lifting sanctions.
Both the United States and European nations, along with Syria’s neighboring countries, have stressed the importance of the new leadership taking strong action against “terrorism and extremism.” This remains a critical point of focus in the region.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with backing from Washington, played a pivotal role in the campaign that defeated the Islamic State (IS) in 2019. The SDF continues to oversee numerous detention facilities housing thousands of suspected terrorists and their families.
Meanwhile, U.S. forces maintain a presence in northern Syria as part of an ongoing coalition effort aimed at countering jihadist threats and ensuring regional security. This reflects America’s continued commitment to addressing extremism in the region.
{Matzav.com}