Syria's President Al-Shara Commits to Joint Fight Against Islamic State

Syria's President Ahmed al-Shara visited the White House on Monday, meeting with President Trump, and on Tuesday, Syria's minister of information, Hamza al-Mustafa, announced that Mr. al-Shara had signed a declaration of political cooperation with the U.S.-led coalition combating the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. This development marks a significant shift in Syria's stance against the terrorist group, which was once a stronghold in the country. According to Syrian officials and Western diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity, Mr. al-Shara has been discreetly cooperating with the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS and Al Qaeda since he took control of a slice of rebel-held territory in northwestern Syria in 2016. This cooperation has been ongoing since December, when Syrian security forces began working with the global anti-ISIS coalition. Mr. al-Mustafa stated that the declaration of cooperation is a formalization of this existing partnership. The U.S.-led coalition has been actively fighting ISIS in Syria and Iraq since 2014. The coalition's efforts have led to significant gains against the terrorist group, but the fight is far from over. Mr. al-Shara's decision to formally join the coalition's efforts against ISIS is seen as a crucial step in the region's efforts to combat terrorism. Mr. al-Shara's past is marked by a complex history with the U.S. government. He was once imprisoned by U.S. forces in Iraq and later founded the Syrian branch of Al Qaeda. A $10 million U.S. bounty was placed on his head until December of last year, shortly after he led a rebel offensive that ousted Syria's longtime dictator, Bashar al-Assad. The implications of this development are significant, as it marks a shift in Syria's stance against terrorism. The U.S.-led coalition has been actively working to defeat ISIS in Syria and Iraq, and Mr. al-Shara's decision to join forces with the coalition is seen as a crucial step in this effort. The partnership between Syria and the U.S.-led coalition is expected to lead to increased cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorism in the region. In a statement, Mr. al-Mustafa emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, "This declaration of cooperation is a significant step forward in our efforts to combat terrorism in Syria and the region. We look forward to working closely with the U.S.-led coalition to defeat ISIS and bring peace to our country." The current status of the partnership between Syria and the U.S.-led coalition is still in its early stages, but it is expected to lead to increased cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorism in the region. As the partnership develops, it is likely to have significant implications for the region and the global fight against terrorism.