Following his historic visit to the White House, Syrian President Ahmed Sharaa told the Washington Post that rebuilding relations with the United States is strategically vital for Syria. He highlighted priorities including maintaining national stability, strengthening the economy, and protecting the country’s territorial integrity.

Relations with the U.S. and Trump Policies

Sharaa noted that the U.S. supports Syria’s stability and is moving toward fully lifting sanctions. He emphasized that U.S. President Donald Trump-era policies aimed at preserving Syria’s territorial unity and supporting economic recovery, underscoring the importance of reestablishing diplomatic ties.

Israel and the Airstrikes

Addressing Israel’s recent airstrikes, Sharaa said:

Since December 8, Israel has carried out over a thousand airstrikes, targeting the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Defense. We did not retaliate because we are focused on rebuilding Syria.

He described the attacks as driven by expansionist aims rather than legitimate security concerns and stressed that Israel must return to its pre-December 8 borders for a final agreement.

Demilitarization and Strategic Balance

Sharaa expressed caution regarding proposals to demilitarize southern Syria:

Disarming the region is not simple. If chaos erupts, who will be held accountable? This is Syrian territory, and Syrians must freely decide how to manage their land.

Regarding relations with Russia, he emphasized maintaining strategic balance while seeking Moscow’s support in the UN Security Council.

“We Reserve The Right To Bring Assad To Justice”

On allegations that Bashar Assad fled to Moscow after the fall of his regime, Sharaa said “However, as Syrians, we reserve the right to bring Assad to justice.”

He reaffirmed that post-war reconstruction priorities focus on stability, security, and economic development.