Two Republican members of the U.S. Congress visited Damascus, Syria, on an unofficial visit organized by a Syrian-American nonprofit, marking the first visit by U.S. legislators since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad. The Congressmen explored the damaged synagogue in Jobar and met with Christian religious leaders in Bab Touma, discussing lifting sanctions and the need for a stable transitional government. The visit was aimed at fostering a partnership between Syria and the United States.
In a separate visit, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visited Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa to strengthen Palestinian-Syrian relations and discuss regional developments, including the war in Gaza and efforts towards a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The visit also focused on enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors, as Syria hosts about 450,000 Palestinian refugees, with Palestinian refugees historically enjoying citizenship rights in Syria.
Syria does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, and the new Syrian government led by al-Sharaa is viewed with suspicion by Israeli authorities. Israeli forces seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Assad’s fall and have conducted airstrikes on military facilities in Syria. However, the new Syrian administration has stated that it is not interested in conflict with Israel. The visit by U.S. Congress members and Palestinian President Abbas highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region as different countries navigate relationships and conflicts.
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