Message of 'we are allies' from Ahmed al-Shara after meeting with Trump

Syrian Transitional President and HTS leader Ahmed al-Shara spoke to Fox News following his critical meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington.

This contact was interpreted as a sign of Syria's search to emerge from its long-standing international isolation, the establishment of a new strategic line with the US, and a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East. Al-Shara shared the details of this transformation in his post-meeting statements.

In the interview, he used the phrase "The US and Syria are now allies," noting that past rifts are behind them and that while Syria had been isolated from the world stage for 60 years, a new door has opened today. He also emphasized that for the first time since the founding of Syria, a president has made an official visit to the White House. Stating that a "new era" has begun with the overthrow of the old regime, al-Shara expressed that a new strategic framework will be established with the US during this process.

FIGHT AGAINST ISIS AND MILITARY COOPERATION

When asked in the interview, "Did you commit to the country joining the coalition to fight ISIS in the Middle East?" al-Shara replied, "We have participated in many wars against ISIS for 10 years, and I lost most of my forces in these wars. There are reasons for the US military to be in Syria. It currently needs to be in coordination with the Syrian government. That is why we need to discuss these issues and talk about ISIS and reach an agreement."

"SYRIA IS NOW A GEOPOLITICAL ALLY"

Al-Shara was also asked how a rapprochement with Washington is possible today, despite his past associations with Al-Qaeda and being declared a foreign terrorist by the US only 11 months ago. He responded to this question by saying, "I think this is a matter of the past. Now, we did not actively discuss this issue. We talked about the future with President Trump. We talked about future investment opportunities in Syria, so that Syria will no longer be seen as a security threat. Now, Syria is seen as a geopolitical ally and a place where the US can make major investments, especially in gas extraction."

RESPONSE TO THE ABRAHAM ACCORDS QUESTION

When reminded of the Trump administration's calls for Syria to join the Abraham Accords, al-Shara said, "Syria has a border with Israel, and Israel has been occupying the Golan Heights since 1967. We will not enter into direct negotiations at this moment. Perhaps the US administration under President Trump will help us reach such a negotiation."

"ASSAD MUST BE HANDED OVER TO SYRIA"

Criticism that Bashar al-Assad is living a good life in Moscow and is not being tried was also raised in the interview. Al-Shara stated, "Russia has in some way participated in the war against the Syrian people. Part of the negotiations with Syria is that those who are wanted, including Bashar al-Assad, must be handed over to Syria. However, justice must be served. We have established a Justice Commission or a traditional Justice Commission so that everyone, including Bashar al-Assad, can be held accountable for their actions."

In the interview, al-Shara also said that he met with the family of Austin Tice, the American journalist and Marine who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012. While referring to the losses experienced in past years, he said, "More than 250 thousand people went missing in Syria during the past war, and we do not know where they are."

NOTABLE RESPONSE TO THE 9/11 QUESTION: YOU ARE ASKING THE WRONG PERSON

He responded to a question regarding the September 11 attacks with the following words:

"I was only 19 years old at the time, I was very young, and I did not have the authority to make any decisions back then. I have nothing to do with this. There was no Al-Qaeda in my region at that time; you are asking the wrong person. We mourn for every civilian killed, and we know that people are suffering from the war, especially the civilians who pay the price of the war."

News Source: İHA