DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Two Republican congressmembers from the United States arrived in Damascus on an unsanctioned trip arranged by a Syrian-American non-profit organization. This marks the first such visit by U.S. lawmakers since the downfall of the previous government.
ex-Syrian President Bashar Assad
in December.
Additionally on Friday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had a meeting with
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa
During his initial visit since Assad’s ousting and the onset of the Syrian uprising-turned civil war in 2011.
Representatives Marlin Stutzman from Indiana and Cory Mills from Florida toured the Jobar district in the suburbs of Damascus, home to an ancient synagogue that suffered significant damage and looting during the civil conflict. They also visited the Christian area known as Bab Touma, where they had discussions with prominent Christian clerics. Their itinerary included planned meetings with Al-Sharaa and additional governmental representatives.
The Trump administration has not yet formally acknowledged the present Syrian government, headed by
Al-Sharaa, a previous rebel with Islamist affiliations
who led a lightning offensive that toppled Assad. Washington has not yet lifted harsh sanctions that were imposed during Assad’s rule.
Mills, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, informed The Associated Press that it was “highly crucial to visit and witness these conditions firsthand, engage with different government entities, assess the requirements of the Syrian populace, and evaluate what is necessary for the country’s stability.”
Mills said he expected discussions with al-Sharaa to include the issue of sanctions, as well as the government’s priorities and the need for the transitional administration to move toward a “democratically elected society.”
Essentially, it will be up to the president whether they decide to lift the sanctions or not,” he stated, even though “Congress has the ability to provide advice.
The congresspeople arrived at the behest of the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, a non-profit organization headquartered in Indiana. This group characterizes its purpose as promoting “a lasting collaborative relationship involving politics, economics, and society between the citizens of Syria and the United States.”
The Syrian Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat—who stands as the sole female member and lone Christian in the transitional government—accompanied the congressional delegation during their tour of Bab Touma. She emphasized that this visit held significant importance for Syrians.
On Friday, the U.S. State Department released a statement reaffirming its advisory for American citizens not to travel to Syria. The department mentioned they were monitoring reliable data concerning possible immediate threats, particularly at sites commonly visited by visitors.
Palestinian leader arrives amid continued presence of Israeli forces in Syria
The Palestinian state-run news agency Wafa stated that Abbas’s visit, his first since 2007, aimed “to bolster Palestinian-Syrian ties and discuss significant regional matters.”
Abbas and al-Sharaa discussed the ongoing war in Gaza and international efforts to move forward long-stalled efforts to reach a two-state solution to the to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and “agreed to form joint committees aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors,” it said.
About 450,000 Palestinian refugees live in Syria. Prior to being mostly devastated during the conflict, the Yarmouk refugee camp near Damascus was often regarded as the central hub of the Palestinian diaspora.
Palestinian refugees in Syria have not been granted citizenship, supposedly to maintain their claim to return to the houses they left behind or were compelled to abandon during the establishment of Israel in 1948. However, unlike in nearby Lebanon—where Palestinians are prohibited from both purchasing real estate and practicing numerous occupations—in Syria, Palestinian refugees traditionally enjoyed nearly full citizen privileges but lacked the ability to vote or seek public office.
Syria lacks diplomatic ties with Israel. Although the recently established Syrian leadership has stated openly that they do not wish to engage in conflict with Israel, the Israeli administration remains wary of the Islamist previous rebels who now hold control in Damascus.
Israeli forces seized
A U.N.-monitored buffer zone within Syria following the rebellion against Assad, which has been followed by widespread airstrikes targeting military installations in the country.
Israeli officials
have stated that they will not permit the new Syrian military forces below Damascus.
After Israeli authorities refused to allow a helicopter to land in Ramallah, Abbas’ trip to Damascus faced postponement. The aircraft was meant to transport the Palestinian leader from Jordan. A Palestinian official provided this information off the record due to lack of authorization for public statements. Efforts to get comments from Israeli officials regarding the matter were unsuccessful.
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Sewell reported from Beirut.
