Republican Congress Members Undertake Unofficial Visit to Syria Amid Sanctions Discussions
On April 18, 2025, U.S. Congress members Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman visited Syria, an unofficial trip aiming to discuss local governance and U.S. sanctions. The visit coincided with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to reinforce relations amidst regional tensions.
On April 18, 2025, two Republican members of the U.S. Congress, Representatives Cory Mills (R-FL) and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), undertook an unofficial visit to Syria, organized by a Syrian-American nonprofit. This visit marked the first by U.S. legislators since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December. During their time in Syria, they engaged with local religious leaders and explored the religious and historical sites, such as the damaged Jobar synagogue and the Christian neighborhood of Bab Touma.
The delegation is set to meet with prominent Syrian officials including President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who has yet to gain official recognition from the U.S. government. Mills mentioned the trip’s significance for understanding the needs of the Syrian people and the necessity for stability in the region. He noted that discussions with al-Sharaa would likely address sanctions imposed on Syria during Assad’s rule, as well as the country’s direction towards a more democratic government.
The congressional visit was facilitated by the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, a nonprofit aiming to establish better connections between Syria and the United States. U.S. State Department officials reiterated concerns regarding safety in Syria, advising citizens against travel to the region due to credible threats of imminent attacks.
In a related diplomatic move, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Syria on the same day, meeting with President al-Sharaa to discuss enhancing Palestinian-Syrian relations amid ongoing conflicts including the situation in Gaza. Discussions focused on advancing efforts for a two-state solution concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and fostering bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
Syria, home to a substantial number of Palestinian refugees, has historically offered them rights comparable to citizenship, although they lack voting and political representation. The relationship between the new Syrian authorities and Israel remains tense, particularly as Israeli forces continue to act cautiously in the region, implementing airstrikes against military facilities and maintaining a cautious stance towards the current Syrian administration.
In summary, the unofficial visit by U.S. Congress members to Syria signifies a pivotal engagement between U.S. lawmakers and the current Syrian administration, focusing on local needs and the future of governance. Both the congressional trip and Abbas’s visit reflect ongoing diplomatic considerations in an evolving geopolitical landscape. With the U.S. government yet to lift sanctions and the new Syrian leadership under scrutiny, future relations remain uncertain yet crucial for stability in the region.
Original Source: apnews.com
