From the Battlefield to the White House: Ahmad Al-Sharaa Talks to The Washington Post on Syria’s New Outlook and Global Relations
Ahmad Al-Sharaa Talks to The Washington Post: Sanctions, State Reconstruction, Counterterrorism, Israel, and Syria’s Global Relations
The Washington Post conducted an interview with transitional Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and several members of Congress. The visit was part of efforts to rebuild relations between Syria and the United States after decades of tension, making Al-Sharaa the first Syrian president to visit the White House.
Relations with Washington and the Sanctions File
Al-Sharaa explained that the main objective of the visit is “to start building the relationship between Syria and the United States,” noting that Syria’s stability serves the interests of the region and the world. He emphasized that lifting sanctions is a central element in supporting economic development, stating that discussions on this issue have “achieved good results,” with the final decision to be made based on agreements with President Trump.
Al-Sharaa also addressed the case of missing American journalist Austin Tice, confirming the formation of a Syrian committee specialized in missing persons in coordination with U.S. authorities. He added that Damascus had released an American citizen previously detained in Syria, expressing sympathy for the families of the missing, who number around 250,000 individuals including Syrians and foreigners.
Al-Sharaa: Wars Without Purpose and Innocence Preserved
Responding to criticism regarding his past as a fighter, Al-Sharaa stated that “fighting to defend your land and people is not shameful,” clarifying that he did not target civilians in the conflicts he participated in and that he “never caused the blood of innocents.” He added that many previous regional policies contributed to long-lasting conflicts “without purpose.”
Sectarian Violence and Countering the Islamic State
Al-Sharaa noted that Syria is undergoing a transitional phase after decades of centralized rule, stressing that restoring stability will require time similar to that experienced by other countries after civil wars. He affirmed that the government is working to rebuild state institutions and ensure coexistence among the country’s diverse communities, which have lived together for over 1,400 years, noting that recent acts of violence “do not represent the final outcome.”
He highlighted the presence of individual interests among certain groups seeking independence or autonomy, explaining that “some of these actors use their sect or ideology as a cover to justify their own interests.”
The transitional president also emphasized that Syria “is capable of assuming responsibility for countering the Islamic State,” calling for the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into official security institutions to unify efforts under state authority. He considered that maintaining military forces outside Damascus’ control represents “an ideal environment for the resurgence of the Islamic State,” noting that his forces fought the organization for ten years “without coordination with any Western power or other state.”
Relations with Israel and the Southern Demilitarization Issue
Al-Sharaa revealed that direct talks are ongoing with Israel, involving the United States and supported by international parties, indicating that Syria is demanding Israel withdraw to the borders prior to December 8. He confirmed that Damascus did not respond to recent Israeli airstrikes, which exceeded 1,000 attacks, prioritizing reconstruction efforts.
He added that “Israel’s advances in Syria were not driven by security concerns” but by “expansionist ambitions,” explaining that Israel justifies its intervention with “concerns over Iranian presence or Hezbollah activity,” even though, according to Al-Sharaa, “it was Syria that expelled those forces from its territory.” He noted that the U.S. president supports the transitional government’s position, along with other international and regional actors.
Regarding proposals to demilitarize southern Damascus, including the Quneitra, As-Suwayda, and Daraa governorates, Al-Sharaa considered that “talking about a fully demilitarized zone is difficult,” stressing that Syria must remain responsible for protecting its territory from potential threats, while questioning who would assume responsibility in the event of violence.
Damascus’ Need for Moscow
The transitional president concluded by addressing the relationship between Damascus and Moscow, stating that it is “at an early stage and strategically justified by shared interests,” despite the long war between the two sides lasting more than ten years. He emphasized that Syria needs Russia’s cooperation as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, but will continue to demand the trial of former President Bashar Al-Assad “within the legal rights of Syrians,” noting certain complications with Moscow regarding this matter.
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UN Security Council Resolution 2799 and Chapter VII: Will It Internationalize the Syrian Crisis?
