Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two people martyred in the Israeli airstrike that targeted a vehicle in Toul.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes vehicle in town of Toul, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's EU delegate: Belgium categorically refused to touch Russian assets in its banks for fear of a Russian judicial backlash
Al Mayadeen's EU delegate: The European Union has failed to reach an agreement on the use of Russian assets frozen in Belgium
Trump: Will be seeing land action in Venezuela soon
Trump: first question to Xi will be fentanyl
Trump on reports of B1 bombers near Venezuela: Reports are not accurate
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The death toll from the airstrike that targeted the town of Arabsalim in South Lebanon has risen to two, in addition to four injuries
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the town of Arabsalim
Putin on new sanctions against Russia: Russia's energy sector remains confident, though some losses are expected

US Rep. Mills, Syria's al-Sharaa discuss sanctions, 'Israel' ties

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Bloomberg
  • 24 Apr 2025 18:30
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

US Congressman Cory Mills said that Syria's interim leader is open to addressing US concerns and said Syria was interested, under the right conditions, in joining the Abraham Accords.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Syria's interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, following their meeting at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

Bloomberg on Thursday reported that US Congressman Cory Mills held a controversial meeting in Damascus with Ahmed Al-Sharaa, Syria's interim President. The meeting reportedly took place under the guise of an unofficial "fact-finding mission" organized by a group of influential Syrian-Americans, the report says. 

Mills, a Republican lawmaker with close ties to President Donald Trump, confirmed that he will deliver a letter from Al-Sharaa to Trump. The contents of the letter were not disclosed, but the gesture raises concerns about backchannel diplomacy aimed at accelerating Syria's shift toward normalization with "Israel."

According to Mills, he discussed with Al-Sharaa the possible conditions under which US sanctions might be lifted. These sanctions, imposed during Syria's struggle against foreign-backed insurgencies, were intended to isolate the Syrian state and cripple its economy, measures that have devastated the lives of ordinary Syrians and impeded post-war recovery. Al-Sharaa, now seeking Western approval and investment, has reportedly appealed for sanctions relief in exchange for abandoning long-held national principles.

Mills noted that Sharaa is open to addressing US concerns and said Syria was interested under the right conditions in joining the Abraham Accords, the normalization framework spearheaded by the United States and "Israel". 

Related News

Mortar clashes erupt in eastern Aleppo amid new ceasefire breaches

Homs tops Syrian cities in sectarian killings of Alawite civilians

Mills claimed to have outlined a list of demands, including dismantling remnants of Syria's alleged chemical arsenal, cooperating on so-called "counter-terrorism", and addressing "Israeli security concerns", an agenda that aligns neatly with US and Zionist interests but neglects Syrian sovereignty. Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory have intensified since Al-Sharaa's rise, suggesting Tel Aviv views the new leadership as more pliable to its regional designs.

Read more: UK lifts sanctions on Syria def., interior ministries, intel agencies

Al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani, was once a field commander aligned with al-Qaeda and led extremist factions during the early years of the Western-sponsored insurgency. Though he later rebranded and distanced himself from transnational jihadist networks, his rise to power was accompanied by reports of brutal purges and executions, including the recent mass killing of Alawite civilians—an act widely condemned by Syrians across political lines.

While Mills described the meeting as "constructive" and praised Al-Sharaa's willingness to compromise, Syrian nationalists and defenders of the Palestinian cause see it differently. Many regard this new chapter of engagement as part of a broader US strategy to divide the region, weaken resistance movements, and pave the way for Israel's regional dominance.

"I am cautiously optimistic and look to maintain open dialogue," Mills said. But for those committed to Syria's independence and the liberation of Palestine, the dialogue he proposes threatens to further entrench foreign influence and undermine the very foundations of regional solidarity.

Read more: PIJ arrests in Syria highlight regional realignment: NYT

  • Syria
  • Ahmad al-Sharaa
  • Israel
  • Sanctions on Syria
  • Normalizing ties with Israel
  • Abraham Accords

Most Read

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • Today
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Palestinians walk through the destruction caused by the Israeli air and ground offensive in Gaza City, Thursday, October 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)
Politics

Unexploded ordnances in Gaza may take 30 yrs to clear, aid group says

Police stand guard before a press conference on the extradition of “Tren de Aragua” gang members from the United States, at the a high-security prison where they are being held in Santiago, Chile, Wednesday, October 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Esteban Félix)
Politics

US immigration policies shaped by false 'Venezuela gang' threats

Demonstrators march at a protest opposing "Operation Midway Blitz" and the presence of ICE, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025, in Chicago (AP)
Politics

HRW slams federal agents use of excessive force in Illinois protests

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun meets with the Lebanese Prime Minister Nawwaf Salam ahead of a Cabinet meeting in the Presidential Palace, Baabda, Lebanon, October 23, 2025 (X/ @LBPresidency)
Politics

Lebanon OKs sea demarcation with Cyprus, restarts Block 8 exploration

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS