Bipartisan Delegation Leads Historic Meeting with Syrian Leadership

Strategic Insights -

Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, led a bipartisan delegation to Syria, marking the first time a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has met with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa since the fall of the Assad regime. Accompanied by Congressman Joe Wilson and Ambassador Tom Barrack, the delegation discussed key priorities, including security, inclusivity, and economic prosperity, and met with a variety of Syrian leaders, including Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Hind Kabawat and General Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen became the first member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to visit Syria and meet with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa since the fall of the Assad regime.
  • The bipartisan delegation, including Congressman Joe Wilson and Ambassador Tom Barrack, met with President Al-Sharaa and several of his ministers to discuss U.S. priorities, including the security situation and human rights.
  • Senator Shaheen conveyed the importance of upholding the rights of Syrians from all ethnic and religious backgrounds and discussed her bipartisan legislation to lift the Caesar Act sanctions against Syria.
  • The Senator met with Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Hind Kabawat to discuss strengthening civil society, accountability for war crimes, peace, and reconciliation, and economic prosperity.
  • Senator Shaheen also met with General Mazloum Abdi of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to express support and discuss the pathway to integrating the SDF into the Syrian Armed Forces.
  • The delegation met with a group of multi-ethnic and multi-faith religious leaders and civil society representatives at a peace and dialogue conference held at a Christian Monastery.
  • Senator Shaheen emphasized the need for a democratic Syria that respects the rights of all Syrians and vowed to continue fighting for lasting peace and prosperity.

Statistics:

  • This was the first time a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has met with President Ahmed Al-Sharaa since the fall of the Assad regime.
  • The bipartisan delegation included Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Congressman Joe Wilson, and Ambassador Tom Barrack.

Sources:

  • "U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen Leads Bipartisan Delegation to Syria". U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.