Syria's transitional president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, faces fierce criticism from the Islamic State (IS) after the United States removed him and his organization, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), from its terrorism list. The extremist group accuses al-Sharaa of making substantial political concessions to Washington in exchange for the delisting, highlighting new tensions in post-conflict Syria's evolving political landscape.
According to Enab Baladi, the Islamic State leveled these accusations in its weekly newspaper Al-Nabaa's editorial, published Thursday, July 11. The editorial alleges that al-Sharaa, known by his former nom de guerre "al-Julani," served American and Israeli interests through actions that secured his removal from terrorism designations.
The IS editorial detailed several alleged concessions made during al-Sharaa's first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. These reportedly include granting American access to Syria's natural resources both "above and below ground," returning remains and prisoners of American nationals, and facilitating the recovery of Israeli soldiers' remains. The group specifically cited Israel's retrieval of a soldier's body from the 1982 Battle of Sultan Yacoub in Lebanon, which was later returned from Syrian territory.
Additional allegations claim al-Sharaa provided coordinates of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles to prevent their acquisition by groups IS deems "worthy." The extremist organization also accuses the Syrian president of actively prosecuting military campaigns against IS domestically and internationally.
These accusations emerge just days after the U.S. formally removed Jabhat al-Nusra—HTS's former name—from its terrorism list on July 8. This development marks a dramatic transformation in U.S.-Syrian relations, particularly given the Damascus-based authority's years-long designation as a terrorist entity by Washington.
IS drew parallels between Washington's decision and Russia's recognition of Afghanistan's Taliban government, which has maintained power since 2021. The group suggests America is "embracing" al-Sharaa's government to incorporate it into the Western sphere of influence, mirroring Russia's efforts to align the Taliban with Eastern bloc interests.
This criticism follows a pattern established in mid-May when IS condemned al-Sharaa after he met with President Trump in Riyadh. In that editorial, the group argued the encounter revealed their dispute with al-Sharaa was theological rather than merely political. They accused him of abandoning Islamic principles for the "Abraham Accords"—a reference to Arab-Israeli normalization agreements.
The May 14 meeting between al-Sharaa and Trump, described as "historic," occurred shortly after America lifted longstanding sanctions on Syria. Despite extremist criticism, al-Sharaa continues diplomatic engagement, meeting with Turkey's Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges delegation on July 10, signaling his administration's commitment to regional economic partnerships.
The Islamic State's condemnation underscores the complex challenges facing Syria's transitional government as it navigates international recognition while managing domestic opposition from extremist factions. Al-Sharaa's delicate balancing act between Western engagement and regional stability continues to draw scrutiny from various quarters, highlighting the intricate dynamics shaping Syria's political future.