Damascus/ Riaydh, May 16 – Syria’s new de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, is consolidating international recognition as the country enters a critical phase of transition following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s government late last year.
Sharaa, who once led the al-Qaeda-linked group Jabhat al-Nusra and was designated a global terrorist by the United States, met with U.S. President Donald Trump in Riyadh on May 14 in a high-profile diplomatic breakthrough. The meeting, facilitated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, marked a significant shift in U.S. policy after Trump lifted decades-long sanctions on Syria earlier in the week.
“He’s a tough guy. Strong past… Fighter,” Trump said, praising Sharaa, now the head of Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which seized control of Damascus in December 2024.
The move paves the way for Syria to re-enter the global economic system. Sharaa has invited American firms to invest in the country’s oil and gas sectors, while Gulf nations are expected to funnel reconstruction funds into the war-ravaged nation.
Sharaa has also held talks with Qatar’s Emir in Doha and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in recent weeks, signaling growing Western and regional acceptance. Türkiye has offered strong backing to the HTS-led administration.
Fragile Stability Amid Sectarian Tensions
Despite pledges to uphold the rule of law and protect minorities, Sharaa’s government faces mounting criticism over rising sectarian violence. In March, hundreds of Alawites — the sect of former President Assad — were killed in attacks by Islamist gunmen in the coastal Latakia region. In central Syria, targeted killings and abductions remain frequent.
Syria’s Druze community has accused the HTS-led regime of orchestrating a “genocidal campaign,” while Kurdish groups in the northeast have rejected the centralization of power and called for a decentralized, democratic system.
The newly gained international legitimacy offers Sharaa an opportunity to steer Syria toward stability and economic recovery. However, analysts warn that unless extremist militias are dismantled and an inclusive constitution is adopted, the country could risk descending into further chaos, resembling the post-conflict collapse seen in Libya or Afghanistan.
The coming months will test Sharaa’s ability to balance international engagement with domestic reconciliation. While foreign investment and diplomatic recognition present a lifeline, sustained peace will depend on political inclusivity and curbing sectarian violence.
