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Ahmed al-Sharaa

The latest news and top stories on Ahmed al-Sharaa, Interim President of Syria. As the former leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), he spearheaded the offensive that overthrew the previous Syrian regime in December 2024. Now serving as interim president, his responsibilities include leading the transitional government, rebuilding state institutions and fostering national unity. Al-Sharaa has actively pursued international re-engagement, securing sanctions relief and conducting diplomatic outreach. His background includes past ties to al-Qaeda, from which he has actively sought to distance himself, focusing on pragmatic governance and stability.

The aftermath of the explosion inside Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in the Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs. Photo: SANA/AFP

Middle East

Blast in Syria kills 8 at mosque targeting Alawite minority in Homs

Authorities investigate explosive devices planted during Friday prayers, heightening sectarian tensions and fears among minorities.

27 Dec 2025 - 12:45AMvideocam

Middle East

US strikes at Isis fighters in Syria after 3 Americans killed

20 Dec 2025 - 6:46PM

Middle East

Trump vows retaliation after 2 US troops and a civilian killed in Syria ambush

14 Dec 2025 - 3:41AMvideocam

Donald Trump

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (left) shakes hands with Syria’s President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the White House in Washington last month. Photo: AP

Middle East

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

Despite progress, sectarian violence and Kurdish tensions persist as President Ahmed al-Sharaa pushes toward future elections.

9 Dec 2025 - 8:44AMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Another invitation to Israel’s leader was issued after Syria’s president made a historic visit to the White House a few weeks ago.

2 Dec 2025 - 3:07PM

China-Middle East relations

Why Xinjiang casts a long shadow over China and Syria’s efforts to rebuild ties

The new Syrian government needs help in rebuilding, but Beijing is deeply concerned about Uygur militant groups inside the country.

30 Nov 2025 - 12:00PMvideocam

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi with Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani ahead of their meeting in Beijing on November 17. Photo: Xinhua

China-Middle East relations

China looks to get relations with Syria ‘back on track’ after Assad’s downfall

In first meeting with counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges new regime to act against Xinjiang militant groups.

18 Nov 2025 - 2:19AMvideocam

Syria

Syria joins alliance against Isis after Trump hosts ex-jihadist president

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s White House visit caps a remarkable turnaround for a former jihadist who once had a US$10 million bounty on his head.

11 Nov 2025 - 4:01PM

Middle East

Syria leader arrives in US for Trump visit after removal from terror blacklist

Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted Assad, has been working to present a moderate image, in a break from his group’s violent past.

9 Nov 2025 - 7:51AMvideocam

Syria’s President Ahmed Al-Sharaa speaks during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order

Damascus views engagement with Beijing as a pathway to legitimacy, leverage – and the US$216 billion it needs to rebuild.

1 Nov 2025 - 1:30PM

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa (right) disembarks from a plane during a state visit to Russia on October 15. He is expected to visit Beijing this month. Photo: Syrian Arab News Agency/AFP

Middle East

Syria to select post-Assad parliamentary members in process deemed undemocratic

A third of the members are appointed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has said it is impossible to hold direct elections now.

5 Oct 2025 - 11:39AM

Middle East

7 killed in Aleppo bombardment, Syria blames Kurdish-led forces

A semi-autonomous Kurdish administration, with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, controls swathes of a region still divided by fighting.

21 Sep 2025 - 9:56PM

Middle East

Syria’s President Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict

Turkey and the US back the deal to integrate Syria’s oil-rich northeast into the state and want to resolve the issue peacefully, Sharaa said.

18 Aug 2025 - 2:42AM

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace in Damascus. Photo: dpa

Middle East

Syria steps back from Paris meetings with Kurdish-led SDF

In March, the Syrian Democratic Forces signed a deal with the new Islamist-led government in Damascus to join Syria’s state institutions.

9 Aug 2025 - 8:55PM

Syria

Syria’s elections: a path to inclusion or continued conflict?

A deepening humanitarian crisis and minority grievances complicate Syria’s bid for a centralised state, 14 years after its civil war began.

2 Aug 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Middle East

Syria’s future tied to Israel peace deal as billions in investment set to arrive

Gulf Arab, Turkish and Western firms have pledged to invest in Syria to rebuild the war-torn country.

17 Jul 2025 - 5:33PM

China-Middle East relations

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability.

10 Jul 2025 - 4:59PMvideocam

China could step up investment and imports of oil and gas from Iran under a 25-year cooperation agreement signed in 2021. Photo: Reuters

Syria

US revoking ‘terrorist’ designation for Syria’s HTS

Syria’s new leadership has sought to rebuild ties with the international community.

8 Jul 2025 - 12:15PM

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Ahmed al-Sharaa

Blast in Syria kills 8 at mosque targeting Alawite minority in Homs

Authorities investigate explosive devices planted during Friday prayers, heightening sectarian tensions and fears among minorities.

US strikes at Isis fighters in Syria after 3 Americans killed

Trump vows retaliation after 2 US troops and a civilian killed in Syria ambush

Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection

Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.

A year after Assad’s fall, can Syria’s new leader deliver lasting peace?

Despite progress, sectarian violence and Kurdish tensions persist as President Ahmed al-Sharaa pushes toward future elections.

Trump invites Netanyahu to White House as US warms to Syria’s president

Another invitation to Israel’s leader was issued after Syria’s president made a historic visit to the White House a few weeks ago.

Why Xinjiang casts a long shadow over China and Syria’s efforts to rebuild ties

The new Syrian government needs help in rebuilding, but Beijing is deeply concerned about Uygur militant groups inside the country.

China looks to get relations with Syria ‘back on track’ after Assad’s downfall

In first meeting with counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani, Foreign Minister Wang Yi urges new regime to act against Xinjiang militant groups.

Syria joins alliance against Isis after Trump hosts ex-jihadist president

President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s White House visit caps a remarkable turnaround for a former jihadist who once had a US$10 million bounty on his head.

Syria leader arrives in US for Trump visit after removal from terror blacklist

Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose rebel forces ousted Assad, has been working to present a moderate image, in a break from his group’s violent past.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order

Damascus views engagement with Beijing as a pathway to legitimacy, leverage – and the US$216 billion it needs to rebuild.

Syria to select post-Assad parliamentary members in process deemed undemocratic

A third of the members are appointed by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has said it is impossible to hold direct elections now.

7 killed in Aleppo bombardment, Syria blames Kurdish-led forces

A semi-autonomous Kurdish administration, with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, controls swathes of a region still divided by fighting.

Syria’s President Sharaa hopes for Kurdish deal to prevent conflict

Turkey and the US back the deal to integrate Syria’s oil-rich northeast into the state and want to resolve the issue peacefully, Sharaa said.

Syria steps back from Paris meetings with Kurdish-led SDF

In March, the Syrian Democratic Forces signed a deal with the new Islamist-led government in Damascus to join Syria’s state institutions.

Syria’s elections: a path to inclusion or continued conflict?

A deepening humanitarian crisis and minority grievances complicate Syria’s bid for a centralised state, 14 years after its civil war began.

Syria’s future tied to Israel peace deal as billions in investment set to arrive

Gulf Arab, Turkish and Western firms have pledged to invest in Syria to rebuild the war-torn country.

China likely to strengthen backing for Iran as it looks to secure interests

With Iran ‘deeply tied’ to Chinese interests, analyst says it will be a balancing act for Beijing as it pursues regional stability.

US revoking ‘terrorist’ designation for Syria’s HTS

Syria’s new leadership has sought to rebuild ties with the international community.

Opinion | What Syria’s post-war pivot to China reveals about the new world order