A U.S. lawmaker who recently met Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa has claimed that he told him that he would be willing to normalise ties with Israel “under the right conditions.”
Republican congressman, Israel supporter and Donald Trump ally Cory Mills met with Sharaa in Damascus last week on a fact-finding trip sponsored by Syrian Americans.
Mills told Bloomberg that he discussed with Sharaa the steps needed for him to obtain sanctions relief and address Israeli actions in Syria.
He said he told Sharaa that Syria must first destroy chemical weapons left behind by Bashar al-Assad’s government, partner with neighbouring countries on counterterrorism, and deal with foreign fighters who filled the ranks of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the armed group he commanded that ousted Assad.
Mills also said that Sharaa must provide assurances to Israel.
The Syrian government has not denied the report and a high-ranking government source told Levant24 that when asked by U.S. Congressman Cory Mills if Syria was ready to join the Abraham Accords, President Ahmad al-Sharaa replied: “First they must stop their interference in Syria, stop the bombing, withdraw from the Syrian territories they’ve entered. Then we can talk about the agreement. All the countries that signed the agreements – Israel doesn’t occupy their land.”
The claims come a few days after Khalid Khalid, the head of the Syrian branch of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, and Abu Ali Yasser, the head of the branch’s organisational committee, were arrested by security forces in Syria.
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The reasons behind the arrests have not been officially disclosed.
Cory Mills – hard core Zionist
Representative Cory Mills is an American politician, businessman and Iraq war veteran serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 7th Congressional District since 2023.
He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and later worked as a military contractor in Iraq and Afghanistan.
As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mills supports policies aligned with the Abraham Accords’ goals of normalising Israel-Arab relations and countering Iran’s influence, consistent with his focus on U.S. national security and Israel’s strategic interests.
Mills has consistently supported legislation strengthening U.S.-Israel ties, including increased military aid and security cooperation. He voted for bills affirming Israel’s right to self-defence and funding for the Iron Dome missile defense system.
Mills has described Israel as a critical U.S. ally in the Middle East, emphasising its role in countering Iran and groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. In 2023, he organised rescue missions to evacuate Americans from Israel during heightened conflict, showcasing his commitment to Israel’s stability.
Mills has a 100% pro-Israel voting score from groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for the 117th and 118th Congresses (2021–2025), based on votes for defense appropriations, anti-BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) measures, and resolutions condemning antisemitism.
Israeli actions in Syria
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, Israel has undertaken significant military actions in Syria, driven by security concerns over the power vacuum and the rise of the new Syrian government.
On December 8, 2024, Israel invaded the UN-monitored buffer zone in southwestern Syria, adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, declaring the 1974 Disengagement Agreement void.
Israeli forces seized strategic areas, including Mount Hermon, and established nine new military posts, paving roads and digging trenches. Initially described as “temporary,” Israel later stated it would remain “indefinitely.”
By January 2025, Israel announced plans for a 15 km “zone of control” and a 60 km “sphere of influence” deeper into Syria, reaching close to Damascus.
Israel launched over 780 airstrikes since December 2024, targeting Syrian military infrastructure, including airbases, missile depots, radar systems, air defence networks, naval vessels, and chemical weapons stockpiles.
The campaign, dubbed “Arrow of Bashan,” destroyed 70–80% of Syria’s strategic military capabilities, including its navy and air force. Notable strikes hit Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia, and Daraa.
Israeli troops have also advanced into Syrian villages like Koayiah, Madinat al-Baath, and Jubata al-Khashab, establishing outposts and military bases.
It has reached out to minority groups like the Druze, offering protection and work opportunities in the Golan Heights, aiming to create alliances and influence zones.
And Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans in March 2025 for a 30-mile demilitarised zone extending nearly to Damascus.
