Syrian president visits US, first time since 1946

Mr. Al-Sharaa, who led the rebel forces that toppled President Bashar al-Assad's government late last year, is expected to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on November 10.

Before the visit, the US officially removed Mr. Al-Sharaa's name from the "terrorist" sanctions list on November 7. Mr. Al-Sharaa had previously been linked to the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda.

According to US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack, Syrian leaders “hope” to sign an agreement to join the US-led anti-IS coalition.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Photo: X/SharaaPresident

Another focus of the visit is seeking financial support for Syria’s reconstruction after 13 years of war. The World Bank estimates the cost of reconstruction could be at least $216 billion – a figure it said was “the most conservative estimate”.

Mr. Al-Sharaa led Al-Qaeda’s branch in Syria before it split from the parent network more than a decade ago and later clashed with IS. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) organization was removed from the U.S. terrorist list in July.

The trip to Washington comes after Mr Al-Sharaa delivered a historic speech at the UN General Assembly in New York in September – the first time a Syrian president had addressed the forum in decades. The US had earlier led a vote in the UN Security Council to lift sanctions on him.

In parallel with President Al-Sharaa's visit, the Syrian Interior Ministry announced on November 8 the launch of a "large-scale security operation" across the country, targeting IS groups.

State media said security forces carried out 61 raids in Aleppo, Idlib, Hama, Homs and Damascus provinces, arresting at least 71 people and seizing weapons and explosives.

The operation is part of the government 's “continuous efforts to combat terrorism and protect public safety,” SANA said.

Source: https://congluan.vn/tong-thong-syria-den-tham-my-lan-dau-tien-ke-tu-nam-1946-10317168.html