ISIS attacks al-Sharaa over Trump meeting, Syria political transition
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ISIS lashes out at Syria's transitional leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, in its weekly publication, condemning his meeting with Donald Trump and accusing him of betraying Islamic values amid US-led political efforts in Syria.
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Syria's interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, walks in the presidential palace ahead of a meeting in Damascus, Dec. 28, 2024 (AP)
In its latest weekly publication in Al-Naba journal, ISIS launched a harsh attack on Syria's transitional leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, criticizing his role in the ongoing Syrian political transition and his engagement with the United States.
The editorial, published Thursday under the title "On Trump's Threshold," reflects the group's rejection of any political path involving foreign powers.
The group called on foreign fighters to join what it described as “detachments spread among you in rural and peripheral areas,” warning them against becoming tools in the hands of Syrian opposition figure Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, now known as Ahmad al-Sharaa. “Do not let yourselves become a card burned by al-Jolani as a means to gain international approval,” the article stated.
Trump-Sharaa meeting draws radical backlash
The editorial reserved strong criticism for al-Sharaa, referencing his previous alliances with Syrian factions and opposition groups. “Al-Jolani began early on with losing deals years before coming to power. True, they gave him the presidency, but they stripped him of his faith and honor,” the article said.
ISIS also targeted the recent Trump-Syria meeting with Ahmad al-Sharaa, framing the encounter as a betrayal of religious principles. “The disagreement with al-Sharaa is not just about political tactics, but a battle between monotheism and polytheism, Islam and democracy, between those whose leader is [prophet] Muhammad and those whose leader is Trump,” the editorial stated.
The group condemned what it described as the celebration of the meeting with Trump. According to the publication, such a move is portrayed as a “historic achievement” by revolutionary forces, while “honor is abandoned in the Umayyad Square under the pretext of lifting US sanctions.”
President Trump made the pledge to lift US sanctions on Syria during his visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met with Ahmad al-Sharaa ahead of a broader summit with Gulf leaders in Riyadh. This move marks a significant shift in the relationship between the United States and Syria, which has long been subject to US sanctions.
Syrian Interior Ministry denies campaign against foreign fighters
In a related context and amid the heightened political shifts following Washington’s stated intention to lift US sanctions on Syria, the Syrian Interior Ministry issued a statement denying reports of any security campaign targeting foreign fighters in Idlib.
The Ministry clarified that no operations have been launched in the area, countering widespread claims of a campaign in Idlib and the countryside of Hama. These claims suggested that Syrian authorities had promised the United States to target foreign militants on Syrian territory.
In its statement, the Ministry said that “linking the names of detainees to previous security events on the Syrian coast is not based on any accurate or credible information.”
