**Republican Lawmakers Visit Syria Amid New Government Developments**

The bipartisan focus highlights the evolving relations with Syria's new government after a long-standing conflict.

On Friday, two Republican congressmen, Rep. Cory Mills from Florida and Rep. Marlin Stutzman from Indiana, embarked on the first visit by U.S. lawmakers to Syria in several years. Their trip to Damascus signifies a renewed interest in the war-torn nation, particularly following recent changes in its leadership. As part of a fact-finding mission, the congressmen were accompanied by members of the Syrian diaspora in the United States.

The lawmakers aimed to engage with Syria's newly appointed President Ahmed al-Shara, along with various government ministers, as they seek to understand the current political landscape. The visit also includes meetings with religious leaders, focusing on the country’s Christian minority. Their itinerary features tours of significant historical sites in Damascus and a visit to the devastated suburbs that suffered during the 14-year civil war.

Significantly, the congressional group plans to encounter Sednaya prison, notorious for human rights abuses under former President Bashar al-Assad, who was removed from power in December by a coalition of rebels led by Mr. al-Shara. The trip was coordinated by the Indiana-based Syrian American Alliance for Peace and Prosperity, an organization eager to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Syria's new administration, according to Dr. Tarek Kteleh, a member of the alliance accompanying the congressmen.