U.S. Congressmen visit Syria in first trip since Assad’s ouster

Accompanied by unidentified members of the delegation, U.S. Congressman Cory Mills (R-FL), second from proper, walks in the Old City of Damascus Friday, April 18, 2025. Mills is in Damascus in an unofficial visit organized by a Syrian-American nonprofit, the first visit by U.S. legislators since the autumn of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December.
| Photo Credit: AP

Two U.S. Congress members landed in Damascus on Friday (April 18, 2025) to satisfy Syrian officers, the first visit by American lawmakers to the war-ravaged nation since Bashar al-Assad was ousted from energy by an Islamist-led insurgent offensive in December.

The two are U.S. Representatives Cory Mills of Florida, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees, and Marlin Stutzman of Indiana. Both are members of President Donald Trump’s Republican Party.

Mr. Mills met new Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday evening, stated an individual in the delegation. They mentioned U.S. sanctions and Iran throughout a 90-minute assembly.

The supply stated Mr. Stutzman was set to satisfy on Saturday with Sharaa, nonetheless beneath U.S. and UN sanctions for his earlier ties to al Qaeda.

Asked about assembly a pacesetter nonetheless sanctioned by Washington, Mr. Stutzman cited examples of Trump’s administration participating with Iranian and North Korean leaders.

“We shouldn’t be afraid to talk to anybody,” he stated, and stated he was wanting to see how Syria would cope with international fighters and rule the nation’s numerous inhabitants inclusively.

Syria’s new Islamist-led management has pushed for the U.S. and Europe to totally raise sanctions so the nation can kickstart an economic system decimated by greater than a decade of conflict.

Mr. Mills and Mr. Stutzman toured components of the Syrian capital destroyed by the conflict, met with Christian non secular leaders and plan to satisfy different Syrian authorities ministers.

“There’s an opportunity here – these opportunities come around once in a lifetime,” Mr. Stutzman informed Reuters. “I don’t want Syria pushed into the arms of China, or back into the arms of Russia and Iran.”

Last month the U.S. gave Syria an inventory of situations to fulfil in change for partial sanctions aid – together with eradicating international fighters from management roles – however the Trump administration has in any other case engaged little with the brand new rulers.

The Congressmen’s visit was organized by the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity.

Mr. Stutzman stated Syrians in Damascus spoke to him about Israel’s strikes on the nation, which have focused navy websites in the south in addition to across the capital. Israel has additionally despatched floor troops into components of southern Syria, and has lobbied the U.S. to maintain Syria weak and decentralized.

“My hope is that a strong government is established in Syria that is supportive of the people of Syria, and the people of Syria support the government – and that the relationship between Israel and Syria can be a strong relationship. I think that’s possible, honestly I do,” he stated.