Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa to Visit Washington for Historic Talks on Islamic State and Israel Relations

Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa is set to visit Washington around November 10, marking the first-ever official visit by a Syrian head of state to the U.S. capital, according to U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack. The visit, confirmed by a White House official, aims to strengthen cooperation against Islamic State (ISIS) and advance peace efforts between Syria and Israel.

Barrack revealed during the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain that Washington hopes Syria will join the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS, describing the potential alliance as “a huge step” for Damascus. Since taking power from Bashar al-Assad last December, Sharaa has worked to rebuild Syria’s global ties after years of international isolation under Assad’s rule.

The U.S.-led coalition, formed in 2014, successfully dismantled ISIS’s territorial control in Syria and Iraq by 2019. However, recent intelligence suggests the militant group is attempting a resurgence following Assad’s downfall. Sharaa, once associated with an Al Qaeda offshoot that split from the network over a decade ago, is seen as a key figure in stabilizing post-Assad Syria.

Sources indicate that the U.S. is encouraging Syria to finalize a security agreement with Israel before Sharaa’s Washington visit. Barrack confirmed that Syria and Israel have been engaged in U.S.-mediated de-escalation talks, with a potential deal nearing completion. The agreement could pave the way for an end to Israeli airstrikes in Syria and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south.

Despite historical hostilities and lingering mistrust, Sharaa’s trip could mark a turning point in Middle East diplomacy. A successful U.S.-brokered accord between Syria and Israel, coupled with Syria’s integration into the anti-ISIS coalition, would signal a major shift in regional stability and international relations.