On Friday, April 18, 2025, two Republican Congressmen, Cory Mills from Florida and Marlin Stutzman from Indiana, made a groundbreaking visit to Damascus, Syria. This marks the first time in years that American lawmakers have engaged with Syria following a period of intense civil strife and upheaval. Their visit mirrors the shifting political climate in the war-torn nation, especially after the ousting of the previous regime led by Bashar al-Assad.
The congressmen traveled with representatives from the Syrian diaspora in the United States as part of a fact-finding mission organized by the Indiana-based Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity. During their stay, they were expected to meet with Syria’s newly appointed president, Ahmed al-Shara, along with various government officials.
One of the primary objectives of this trip was to gain insights into the country’s rebuilding process following nearly 14 years of civil war. The lawmakers also planned to meet with religious leaders, including figures from Syria’s Christian community, highlighting the rich cultural tapestry of the nation. They will visit significant historical sites in Damascus, as well as suburbs heavily affected by the conflict.
In a particularly poignant aspect of their visit, the congressional delegation intends to tour the notorious Sednaya prison, a site of severe human rights violations where countless Syrians were imprisoned, tortured, or executed. This part of the trip underscores the ongoing challenges and concerns regarding justice and accountability in the aftermath of the war.
Dr. Tarek Kteleh, a rheumatologist and a member of the Syrian American Alliance, accompanied the lawmakers, reinforcing the initiative’s aim to foster positive relations between the United States and the emerging Syrian leadership while also providing a global audience with firsthand perspectives of the changes taking place in Syria.
