More than 100 House Republicans are calling for oversight of Syria as the United States moves to repeal sanctions against the country.
Reps. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) and Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) are leading 134 Republicans in a letter demanding that Syria adhere to policies in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
“Many Members of Congress, committed to seeking peace, prosperity, and tolerance for religious minorities in the region, worked with the Trump Administration and House leadership to secure assurances that snapback conditions regarding the repeal of Syrian sanctions would be enforced if Syria does not comply with the terms highlighted in the repeal language,” their statement, obtained by Fox News, read. “The mass murder of the Syrian Christians, Druze, Alawites, Kurds, and other religious and ethnic minorities must be a thing of the past.”
“In the coming months, we look forward to being invited into Syria by the al-Sharaa Administration to see firsthand that the terms given to Syria by the United States have been upheld regarding the treatment of religious minorities in As Suwayda,” the statement notes. “We look forward to confirming that these terms have not been squandered by the Syrian government–whether by their President or by rogue military officials–and seeing for ourselves that the al-Sharaa Administration has created a safe environment for the religious and ethnic minorities historically persecuted in the region.”
“As Members of Congress, we understand that the Syrian government’s adherence to the conditions laid out in the NDAA’s sanction repeal language is essential for lasting peace in the Middle East and Syria’s prosperity,” the letter concludes.
In November, the United Nations adopted a resolution to lift sanctions on Syria’s president. Ambassador Mike Waltz said at the time that President Ahmed al-Sharaa is “working hard to fulfill [Syria’s] commitments on countering terrorism and narcotics, on eliminating any remnants of chemical weapons, and promoting regional security and stability as well as an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process.”
