US lawmakers make first visit to Syria since Assad’s fall PHOTO

Two Republican members of the United States Congress made an unofficial visit to Syria on Friday, marking the first trip of its kind by US lawmakers since the ousting of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December. The visit was organised by the Syrian-American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, a nonprofit organisation based in Indiana.

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Representatives Marlin Stutzman of Indiana and Cory Mills of Florida travelled to the Syrian capital, Damascus, where they visited the suburb of Jobar, home to a historic synagogue that was heavily damaged and looted during Syria’s prolonged civil war.

They also toured the Christian quarter of Bab Touma, where they met with Christian religious leaders and community representatives.

During the visit, the US delegation was scheduled to hold meetings with Vice President Farouk al-Sharaa and other government officials.

Speaking to the Associated Press, Congressman Mills, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, emphasized the importance of the trip. “It was very important to come here, to see this firsthand, to engage with various government bodies, to assess the needs of the Syrian people, and to consider the country’s needs for stability,” he said.

Mills noted that discussions with Syrian officials, including al-Sharaa, were expected to touch on the issue of US sanctions, as well as the government’s priorities and the need for the transitional administration to move toward “a democratically elected society.”

“Ultimately, this will be the president’s decision,” Mills said, referring to the possibility of lifting US sanctions on Syria, “although Congress can offer guidance.”

The visit was facilitated by the Syrian-American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, which describes its mission as fostering “sustainable political, economic, and social partnerships between the people of Syria and the United States.”

Syria’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Hind Kabawat, also joined the congressional delegation during part of the visit. Kabawat is the only woman and the only Christian serving in Syria’s transitional government. She accompanied the group during their tour of Bab Touma, a historically significant Christian district in Damascus, which she described as being “very important” for Syrians.

By Tamilla Hasanova