Syria Tries to Kiss Up to Trump, Purges Militants 24 Hours after Historic Meeting

Syrian security forces launched a major operation to arrest foreign militants, including Palestinians, just 24 hours after a meeting between Syrian President Abu Mohammad al-Julani (also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa) and U.S. President Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia. The crackdown followed Trump’s decision to lift U.S. sanctions on Syria, signaling the new Syrian regime’s eagerness to align with U.S. demands.

Local sources report that several individuals tied to jihadist groups active during Syria’s civil war were detained. Among them is Shamel al-Ghazi, a Palestinian militant who previously fought with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group led by al-Julani. Al-Ghazi recently caused a stir by criticizing Israel and Western normalization in an interview that spread across Arab social media, openly defying al-Julani’s stance.

Other arrests include a Palestinian fighter from Gaza in northern Syria and, last month, (April), two Palestinian Islamic Jihad leaders, Khaled Khaled and Yasser al-Zafari, in Damascus, reportedly for ties to Iran.

Background on Syria’s Political Shift and HTS

The arrests reflect Syria’s broader effort to reshape its image under al-Julani’s leadership. HTS, originally Jabhat al-Nusra, began as an al-Qaeda affiliate in 2011 but broke ties in 2016, rebranding as HTS in 2017 to gain local support. Despite this, the U.S. and UN still label HTS a terrorist organization.

In December 2024, HTS led the offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad, ending over 50 years of his family’s rule. Al-Julani has since tried to present himself as a unifying leader, promising inclusive governance, but critics accuse HTS of silencing dissent and targeting rivals. Syria’s fragile political landscape is influenced by regional players like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, while Israel conducts airstrikes, and Iran and Russia, once Assad’s allies, lose ground.

Why the Crackdown Matters

The arrests are part of a campaign to expel foreign fighters and curb Iran-backed groups, aligning with Trump’s demands during the May 14 meeting. Trump urged al-Julani to deport Palestinian militants, prevent the resurgence of groups like ISIS, and consider joining the Abraham Accords for normalization with Israel. By targeting figures like al-Ghazi and dissolving rebel factions into the Defense Ministry, Syria aims to consolidate power and position itself as a reliable partner against terrorism. This is critical for economic recovery after years of war, as sanctions relief could unlock aid and investment.

Analysts see the campaign as an attempt to distance foreign Islamist elements from the government, making Damascus appear cooperative to the U.S. and its allies.