Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa sought to distance himself from responsibility for the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks during a Fox News interview Monday, a statement that has drawn widespread criticism and renewed questions about his past ties to jihadist movements.
The main focus of the interview related to his previous connections to al-Qaeda, his ideological involvement in the jihadist movement before assuming power in Syria, and his stance on the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks against the United States.
Nearly 3,000 people died across New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa. during the 9/11 attacks, according to the Pew Research Center.
When asked directly on “Special Report with Bret Baier” if he regrets the attack, al-Sharaa distanced himself entirely from the event.
“I was only 19 years old, so I was a very young person, and I didn’t have any decision-making power at that time, and I don’t have anything to do with it,” al-Sharaa said. “And al-Qaeda was not present right then in my area. So you’re speaking to the wrong person about this subject.”
The Syrian leader then shifted the conversation.
“We mourn for every civilian that got killed, and we know that people suffer from the war, especially civilians who pay the price, a hefty price for the war,” al-Sharaa said.
“The matter of previous links with al-Qaeda is part of the past and was not a topic of discussion during my talks with President Trump,” al-Sharaa said during the interview. “The dialogue focused primarily on the possibility of investing in Syria’s future and transforming it into a stable state that is no longer considered a threat to regional or international security.”
Al-Sharaa’s interview with Fox comes as he works to remake his image — pitching himself as a pro-Western reformer.
WATCH:
Al-Sharaa arrived at the White House shortly before noon on Monday, marking the first-ever visit of a Syrian head of state to the White House. The president last week lifted al-Sharaa’s terrorist designation.
Al-Sharaa rose to prominence as a leader of the Islamist rebel coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which toppled Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 after more than a decade of civil war. Once labeled a terrorist organization by the United States, the group rebranded itself as a nationalist force opposing Assad’s dictatorship. Since assuming the presidency, al-Sharaa has sought to recast himself as a pro-Western reformer, emphasizing reconstruction and economic partnerships with Western nations.
The meeting, which coincided with the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps, drew sharp criticism from some conservatives on Capitol Hill.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) blasted the White House for hosting al-Sharaa, arguing that the administration should prioritize domestic concerns over diplomatic outreach to former adversaries.
“I would really like to see nonstop meetings at the WH on domestic policy, not foreign policy and foreign country’s leaders,” Greene posted on X. “The new leader of Syria is a former al-Qaeda terrorist wanted by our government who is meeting with President Trump today at the White House.”
Greene further noted that while sanctions on Syria were lifted in June, violence against Christians and minority groups has persisted.
“Syria is the oldest home of Christianity outside of Israel,” she wrote. “The apostle Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. I pray the persecution ends, not only in Syria, but all around the world.”
Al-Sharaa’s visit underscores a significant shift in U.S.-Syria relations, with the Trump administration framing the talks as an opportunity to stabilize a long-volatile region. But for many Americans, particularly those who lost loved ones on 9/11, al-Sharaa’s attempt to deflect responsibility for his early militant ties has reopened painful questions about accountability
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9/11 conspirators were Saudi nationals. WTF does Syria have to do with it, besides the AIPAC cowboys trying to drive a wedge between Trump and the rest of the Middle East?
‘Nearly 3,000 people died across New York City, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville, Pa. during the 9/11 attacks, according to the Pew Research Center.”
Those who planned 911 estimated 7000 would die.
How could we ever truly know how many died?
Would the media tell us or even investigate?
Was Mueller ordered to shut down the FBI investigation?
What truths did we find out about the Las Vegas Massacre?