Syria’s Sharaa Open to Normalizing Ties with Israel Under Conditions, Says US Congresswoman

Damascus (Quds News Network)- US Congressman Cory Mills has said that Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa indicated he was willing to normalise relations with Israel and join the Abraham Accords under the “right conditions”.

Republican congressman and President Donald Trump ally Cory Mills met with Sharaa in Damascus for 90 minutes last week on a fact-finding trip sponsored by Syrian Americans, outlining key conditions for the possible easing of US sanctions including cooperation on counter-terrorism, the elimination of Syria’s remaining chemical weapons, and clear assurances to Israel, a major US ally that opposes the lifting of sanctions that were imposed during the rule of Bashar Al-Assad.

Mills told Bloomberg that he discussed with Sharaa the steps needed for him to obtain sanctions relief.

Sharaa told Mills during their meeting that Syria is interested “under the right conditions” in joining the Abraham Accords

US Republican Congressman Marlin Stutzman, who accompanied Mills on the trip, separately told The Jerusalem Post that Sharaa was interested in joining the Abraham Accords.

“Sharaa said that he was open to the Abraham Accords, which would put them in good standing with Israel, other Middle Eastern countries, and, of course, the United States,” Stutzman told the Israeli newspaper.

However, Stutzman said that Sharaa had laid out his own conditions for normalisation, first and foremost is sanctions relief, but this would also involve guarantees from Israel to end attacks against Syria.

“Sharaa’s concerns are that the country of Syria would be divided up into regions. He didn’t want to see that happen,” he told The Post.

“He wanted to see the country of Syria stay unified. He also mentioned that Israel’s encroachment near the Golan Heights must be addressed, and there should be no further bombings in Syria by Israel. I truly believe he is open to dialogue.”

Gulf states like Qatar and Saudi Arabia have expressed interest in investing in Syria’s reconstruction, but Washington’s sanctions remain a major obstacle.

A coalition of Syrian-American advocates is pressuring Washington to ease these financial penalties, but it is expected that Trump will want various concessions from the new Syrian government in return.

Mills told Bloomberg that he plans to brief US President Donald Trump and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz upon his return from the country about the meetings.

Mills is known to be close to Trump and is considered to be an influential voice within the House Republican Party and the White House.

The Florida Congressman said he will deliver a letter from Sharaa to Trump, without disclosing the contents of it.