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