Syrian authorities say they have foiled two separate assassination attempts by the terrorist group Daesh targeting President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, according to information from Reuters, highlighting the ongoing security threats the leader faces while consolidating power in a country emerging from 14 years of civil war.

 

A senior Syrian security official and a Middle East expert told Reuters that one of the plots targeted a publicly scheduled presidential engagement. Details remain limited due to the sensitivity of the matter.

 

The disclosures come ahead of President Al-Sharaa’s planned meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, as Syria prepares to formally join a US-led coalition against Daesh.

  

Since taking office in December following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad by opposition forces, Al-Sharaa has sought to present himself as a moderate leader aiming to unify Syria and gain international support for the country’s reconstruction.

 

In recent days, Syrian authorities launched a nationwide campaign targeting Daesh cells, arresting more than 70 suspects. Officials said the crackdown was based on intelligence pointing to planned attacks against government and civilian targets, and intended to signal the government’s ability to penetrate deep into Daesh networks.

 

Read more: Syrian forces raid Daesh hideouts in coordinated nationwide campaign

 

Before becoming president, Al-Sharaa led Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, a former Al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria, severing its ties with Al-Qaeda in 2016. He has spent over a decade fighting Daesh through arrests and military operations, particularly in Idlib, and has faced renewed threats as Daesh seeks to undermine his rapprochement with Western nations.

 

Joining the US-led coalition is expected to strengthen coordination with American forces against Daesh and help build trust with the US Congress, potentially aiding the lifting of remaining sanctions on Syria.