US congress members make brief unauthorized visit to north Syria

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Aug 2023 15:51
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A delegation of US Congressional members made a brief hour-long visit to northern Aleppo, Syria, under the pretext of inspecting locals.

US congressman poses for pictures with Syrian kids in north Aleppo, August 27, 2023 (Social media)

In a display of a performative-savior complex, a delegation of three members of the United States Congress, including Republican Party representative Frans Hill, visited northern Aleppo today via the Bab Al-Salameh border crossing, reaching the city of Azaz in the northwestern outskirts of Aleppo, Al Mayadeen reported, citing local activists who noted that the visit lasted for one hour.

During their brief inspection of the area, the delegation explored earthquake-affected areas and visited several hospitals. The delegation was also briefed on the living conditions and public services in the region.

This comes three years after the imposition of the Caesar Act jarring sanctions on the Syrian people by the same US Congress visiting the area now.

The situation in eastern Syrian regions and towns has been marked by a growing sense of popular tribal resentment against the practices of the US military and the pro-US Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who have been accused of engaging in oil and gas theft, obstructing education, and imposing forced recruitment.

Yesterday, it was reported that villagers in Al-Hasakah with the support of Syrian soldiers stationed at a local checkpoint managed to stop a US convoy from entering their village by forming a human barrier.

Sources mentioned that the citizens also removed and tore down all US flags displayed on the back of the armored vehicles before setting them ablaze, expressing their rejection of the US occupation of their land.

Eastern regions of Syria are currently witnessing widespread public and tribal anger against the practices of the US military and the SDF militias allied with them. These practices primarily include the theft of oil and gas resources, hindrance of education, enforcement of forced conscription, and other grievances.

On March 9, the US House of Representatives rejected a resolution presented by Republican Representative Matt Gaetz, which called for the withdrawal of US forces from Syria.

Furthermore, it's notable that the US military and other foreign forces participate in the so-called "International Coalition" and occupy at least 28 declared military sites in Syria. These sites are distributed across three provinces: Al-Hasakah (17 sites), Deir Ezzor (9 sites), and Homs (2 sites).