U.S. Congress Members Conduct Unofficial Visit to Syria as Sanctions Are Considered

Two Republican congressmen visited Damascus on April 18, 2025, marking the first visit by U.S. legislators since Bashar Assad’s fall. The trip focused on engaging with Syrian officials about sanctions and stability, amidst ongoing political developments involving Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who also visited Damascus on the same day to strengthen Palestinian-Syrian relations.

On April 18, 2025, two Republican congressmen, Cory Mills from Florida and Marlin Stutzman from Indiana, arrived in Damascus for an unofficial visit, marking the first time U.S. legislators have visited since the fall of former President Bashar Assad. This visit was organized by a Syrian-American nonprofit, highlighting renewed interest in relations with Syria amidst discussions regarding potential sanctions relief by the United States.

The congressmen visited significant locations, such as the Jobar suburb, known for a historic synagogue destroyed during the civil war, and the Bab Touma Christian neighborhood, where they engaged with Christian religious leaders. Their agenda included discussions with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa regarding sanctions and the government’s commitment to establishing a democratically elected society.

Rep. Cory Mills emphasized the importance of the visit, stating, “It is very important to come here to be able to see it for myself.” He acknowledged that while lifting sanctions is ultimately a presidential decision, Congress can provide recommendations on the matter.

Their visit was facilitated by the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, which aims to foster partnerships between Syria and the United States. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department reiterated its caution against travel to Syria due to credible threats of imminent attacks.

In related developments, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Damascus the same day as the Congress members, the first such visit since Assad’s fall. Abbas and al-Sharaa discussed the ongoing conflict in Gaza and collaboration on various issues between their respective administrations, underlining the need to strengthen Palestinian-Syrian relations.

Syria hosts approximately 450,000 Palestinian refugees, who, unlike their peers in Lebanon, enjoy certain rights though they do not possess citizenship. The complex relationship between Syria, Israel, and the Palestinian plight continues to unfold against the backdrop of an unresolved two-state solution. The visit of the U.S. Congress members thus occurs at a critical juncture in regional politics, potentially influencing the trajectory of U.S.-Syria relations and broader Middle Eastern dynamics.

The unofficial visit by Representatives Cory Mills and Marlin Stutzman to Syria represents a significant moment in U.S.-Syria relations, as it is the first by U.S. legislators since the fall of Bashar Assad. With discussions on sanctions and democratic governance on the agenda, these meetings may pave the way for a reevaluation of U.S. policies towards Syria. Furthermore, the concurrent visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas illustrates the interconnectedness of regional issues, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding stability and peace in the Middle East.

Original Source: apnews.com