RIYADH — In a surprise announcement on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the United States will begin restoring relations with Syria and plans to lift long-standing sanctions on the war-torn country, as reported by Arab News. The move follows talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Speaking at the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh, Trump told a cheering crowd that the new Syrian leadership deserves a chance. “There is a new government that will hopefully succeed,” he said. “I say good luck, Syria. Show us something special.”
Trump is scheduled to meet Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa on Wednesday in Riyadh. Al-Sharaa came to power in January after rebel forces led by his group, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), seized Damascus, ending the Assad family’s decades-long rule.
The U.S. government has been cautious about recognizing the new Syrian leader, as sanctions remain in place. However, many Gulf countries have already backed the Al-Sharaa government and urged Washington to follow.
The White House confirmed the meeting with Syria’s president, saying, “The President agreed to say hello to the Syrian President while in Saudi Arabia tomorrow.”
Trump’s remarks, delivered with a mix of optimism and showmanship, received a standing ovation. “Oh, what I do for the crown prince,” he joked, drawing laughter from the audience.
As the Middle East enters a new phase of political change, the world will watch closely to see if peace and diplomacy can take root where war once raged.
