In a historic move, U.S. Representatives Cory Mills (Florida) and Marlin Stutzman (Indiana) arrived in Damascus on Friday, marking the first congressional visit to Syria since Islamist-led rebels ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in December. The Republican lawmakers met with Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose regime seeks to lift Western sanctions and rebuild the war-torn nation.
Mills, a member of the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services Committees, held a 90-minute meeting with Sharaa, discussing U.S. sanctions and Iran’s influence in the region. Stutzman is scheduled to meet Sharaa Saturday, despite U.S. and UN sanctions still in place due to Sharaa’s past ties to al Qaeda. Stutzman defended the engagement, citing past U.S. diplomatic efforts with Iran and North Korea, stating, “We shouldn’t be afraid to talk to anybody.”
The lawmakers, accompanied by the Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, toured areas of Damascus devastated by war, met with Christian leaders, and plan to speak with other Syrian officials. Both expressed hopes that Syria’s new leadership can form an inclusive government and distance itself from Chinese, Russian, and Iranian influence.
The U.S. recently presented Syria with conditions for partial sanctions relief, including the removal of foreign fighters from key leadership positions. However, broader engagement has been limited under the Trump administration. Stutzman also acknowledged local concerns about Israeli airstrikes and military operations in southern Syria.
“I want Syria to form a strong, people-supported government and eventually build a peaceful relationship with Israel,” said Stutzman.
The visit signals a potential shift in U.S. strategy as Syria seeks to recover from years of conflict and economic collapse, while navigating complex regional dynamics.