Two Republican congressmen arrived in Damascus on Friday, marking the first visit by American lawmakers to Syria in many years. This visit signals an increased focus by their party on the war-ravaged country.
Congressmen Cory Mills of Florida and Marlin Stutzman of Indiana were accompanied by members of the Syrian community in America. Organizers described the visit as a fact-finding mission, with plans for the group to meet with government ministers and Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Shara.
The itinerary also includes meetings with religious leaders, including representatives of Syria’s Christian minority, and tours of historical sites in the old city of Damascus, as well as suburbs affected by the nearly 14-year civil war.
“It’s important to come here and listen first hand,” Mr. Mills stated upon arrival. He emphasized the potential for rebuilding the nation and contributing to regional stabilization.
Mr. Mills noted that President Trump is focused on policies aimed at stabilizing the Middle East and expanding the Abraham Accords, which seek to establish formal ties between Israel and neighboring Arab nations. He expressed a desire to prevent adversarial nations from filling any power vacuums, while also addressing infrastructure and stability issues.
The group plans to visit Sednaya prison, notorious for the incarceration, torture, and execution of thousands of Syrians under the regime of Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted in December by a rebel coalition led by Mr. al-Shara.
The trip was organized by the Indiana-based nonprofit Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, which aims to foster relations between the United States and the new Syrian leadership. Dr. Tarek Kteleh, a member of the alliance, accompanied the congressmen and highlighted the need for lawmakers to witness the economic impact of sanctions imposed on the Assad government.
Dr. Kteleh expressed hope that the visit would pave the way for a new U.S.-Syria relationship and encourage Syria to distance itself from longstanding allies Russia and Iran. He described the mission as a way to assess the situation on the ground, particularly regarding the living conditions of minorities and the overall economic climate.
The congressional visit follows recent clashes between Assad loyalists and the new government’s security forces in coastal towns, which are home to the Alawite religious minority. These clashes have resulted in sectarian violence, with reports of hundreds of civilian casualties attributed to government-linked forces.
Concerns have been raised for Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities as the new government gradually establishes control, disarming some militias and negotiating security agreements with others.
Simultaneously, the United States has begun to reduce troop numbers in northeastern Syria, reflecting changes in the security environment. While the Islamic State remains a significant threat, the end of Mr. al-Assad’s regime has diminished other threats from Iran-backed militias and Russian troops.
Initial contacts between officials of the former Biden administration and Mr. al-Shara began weeks after the overthrow of the Assad regime. Notably, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara A. Leaf visited Damascus on December 20, becoming the first American diplomat to do so since 2012. One of her visit’s priorities was to investigate the fates of two Americans, Austin Tice and Majd Kamalmaz, who went missing or were detained during the civil war.
The U.S. Embassy in Damascus suspended operations in 2012, following the government's violent response to antigovernment protests that escalated into civil war. The rebels who ousted Mr. al-Assad nominated Mr. al-Shara as president in January. Although he once led a group allied with Al Qaeda during the civil war, he has since severed ties with the extremist organization and is expected to oversee a transitional government tasked with drafting a new constitution and preparing for elections over the next five years.