Syrian President al-Sharaa sits down with US general who arrested him

Syrian President al-Sharaa Meets with US General Who Arrested Him In a rare and unprecedented encounter, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa sat down with former US Army General David Petraeus at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York on September 22, 2025. The meeting has sparked intense interest and debate, given the complex history between the two leaders. Timeline of Key Events 2006-2011: Al-Sharaa was captured and imprisoned by US forces under General Petraeus' command for fighting against the invasion of Iraq. January 2025: Al-Sharaa overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad, ending his family's 50-year rule in Syria. September 22, 2025: The two leaders met at the Concordia Annual Summit in New York. Immediate Impact and Response The meeting has raised questions about the implications for US-Syrian relations. "This encounter is a significant development, but its impact will depend on the tone and substance of their discussion," said a senior diplomat. Al-Sharaa's office has released a statement saying that the meeting was an opportunity to discuss ways to improve bilateral ties. Background Context The overthrow of Assad's regime has led to a power vacuum in Syria, with al-Sharaa's government struggling to assert control over various factions. The US has maintained a cautious approach towards the new Syrian leadership, while also seeking to address humanitarian concerns and counter-terrorism efforts. What Happens Next As the international community watches closely, it remains to be seen how this meeting will shape future cooperation between the US and Syria. Al-Sharaa is scheduled to meet with other world leaders at the UN General Assembly later this week, where he is expected to address key issues including reconstruction efforts and regional security concerns. *This story is developing. Information compiled from Aljazeera reporting.*