Trump Says ‘It Was an Honor’ To Meet With Former Al-Qaeda Jihadist Who Fought American Troops

Truth Social/@realDonaldTrump

President Donald Trump celebrated his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa on Monday, calling it “an honor” to meet with the former al-Qaeda jihadist who fought against American troops in Iraq.

“It was an Honor to spend time with Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa, the new President of Syria, where we discussed all the intricacies of PEACE in the Middle East, of which he is a major advocate,” wrote Trump in a Truth Social post. “I look forward to meeting and speaking again. Everyone is talking about the Great Miracle that is taking place in the Middle East. Having a stable and successful Syria is very important to all countries in the Region.”

Trump posed for photos with al-Sharaa – also known as Abu Mohammad al-Julani – during their meeting in the White House Oval Office.

Al-Sharaa assumed office as president of Syria in January following the overthrow of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Prior to this, al-Sharaa fought as a jihadist in several designated terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and the Al-Nusra Front – which he led for five years – and for a time worked with the Islamic State of Iraq.

Al-Sharaa has been accused of engaging in war crimes, including genocide.

In 2013, the U.S. State Department designated Al-Sharaa as a “Global Terrorist,” citing “multiple suicide attacks throughout Syria” that were carried out under his leadership.

“Many of these attacks have killed innocent Syrian civilians,” the State Department declared at the time.

In 2017, the State Department offered a $10 million reward for information on his location.

Since Al-Sharaa’s installation as president of Syria, Trump has received criticism for cozying up to the former jihadist.

In May, during his first meeting with Trump, Al-Sharaa proposed the erection of a Trump Tower in Syria.

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