House members on both sides of the aisle raised concerns about the new Syrian government’s recent moves against minority groups, particularly the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, in some cases questioning whether Damascus is complying with lawmakers’ expectations after the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria were lifted.

Speaking at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Republican and Democratic lawmakers highlighted ongoing abuses by the Syrian government, with some appearing to argue that there might be cause to revisit the imposition of U.S. sanctions on Syria. Some, particularly Republicans, had been hesitant to back full sanctions repeal, but did so under pressure from the Trump administration.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), the committee chair, said that no one expected the transition away from the Assad regime to be seamless, “but we’ve already seen too many incidents, in my opinion, too many incidents of sectarian violence against religious and ethnic minorities.”

He called the Syrian government’s advances against U.S. allies in the SDF “unacceptable” and criticized Russia’s ongoing presence in Syria. He said the recent ceasefire agreement between the government and the SDF is a positive step but emphasized that several such agreements have been signed and not enforced in the past.

Mast said the country is “nowhere near where it needs to be today” and he is “not satisfied with the progress that [Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa] has made yet” and sees “many of his actions as steps backward.”

Mast, who was one of the final obstacles to full repeal of the Caesar Act sanctions, said that al-Sharaa “does not have a blank check from the United States of America” and that the repeal came with an expectation — albeit not formally binding — that Syria would meet various conditions, including protecting minorities.

Rep. Greg Meeks (D-NY), the ranking member of the committee, said he is “optimistic in support of the Syrian people working toward the future,” but also “deeply concerned” by the ongoing sectarian violence and the Syrian government’s attacks against the SDF. He said al-Sharaa needs to show a commitment to implementing the January deal with the Kurds and to stop abuses by elements of his government.

“While I stand for Syrian people and turning the page toward a new future, we must see President al-Sharaa keep to his word of being a president for all Syrians and ensure Syria’s ethnic and religious minorities are safe and fully represented,” Meeks said.

Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the former committee chair, said that, while he wanted to see al-Sharaa succeed, the Syrian government has not complied with the conditions attached to the repeal of the Caesar sanctions. He said that the images emerging from the Syrian government-aligned forces’ attacks on the Druze echoed those of ISIS-controlled areas of Syria a decade ago.

McCaul said he was particularly concerned that the Syrian government offensive led to ISIS prisoners being released from SDF-guarded prison camps in eastern Syria, some of whom remain unaccounted for. “That is a nightmare scenario, from a national security perspective,” McCaul, who also previously chaired the Homeland Security Committee, said.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), who had pushed for specific binding conditions on sanctions relief, said in a statement following the hearing, “The United States lifted sanctions on Syria to give al-Sharaa a chance to prove where he stands, despite his terrorist ties,” adding that the non-binding provisions in the final sanctions repeal bill, “were not met, and the trajectory of Syria under al-Sharaa is deeply concerning.”

Following the hearing, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) also said he’s not prepared to normalize relations with Syria and is open to leveraging U.S. economic pressure.

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) praised Mast for pushing to include reporting measures and non-binding conditions in the final repeal legislation, criticizing the administration for its push for unconditional sanctions relief.

“When the White House and Senate leadership pushed a hand to Damascus a clean,  unconditional sanctions lift, you pushed back and insisted the repeal come with at least some benchmarks and reporting requirements, and at least a skeleton accountability, which I think is critical,” Schneider said. “I want the record to reflect that this committee, on a bipartisan basis, rejected the administration’s reckless instinct to give away our leverage for nothing in return.”

Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) highlighted a recent op-ed by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that criticized the U.S. for tacitly allowing the Syrian offensive against the SDF, described Trump as overly optimistic about al-Sharaa and criticized the administration’s push to remove sanctions.

“It seems to me that there’s just such a rush to somehow having another peace agreement there that [Trump] is overlooking what the former secretary said, quite strongly, was it’s overly optimistic. And, to take all the sanctions, not using the sanctions as leverage going forward is a mistake,” Keating said.

Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) said she was also “not in such a big hurry to take away some of the sanctions and the [terrorist] status of the president when he transitioned from so-called terrorist to so-called leader of all the Syrians.”

Rep. Johnny Olszewski (D-MD) highlighted concerns about changes to the Syrian education system, which has “removed references to women, to love, to pre Islamic culture and to even human evolution, sending a chill message to religious and ethnic minorities,” adding that Syria “can’t replace one form of intolerance with another.”

Multiple Republicans also cast doubt on whether al-Sharaa had actually reformed, characterizing him as still being a committed Islamist terrorist, who is now pretending to be a moderate reformer for Western audiences.

“I think I’m hopeful that something great can happen with Syria in the United States ought to be part of that, but giving all our leverage in advance, to me, doesn’t seem a good idea and a good way to make sure that happens,” Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) said.

“I generally believe that once a Muslim terrorist, always a Muslim terrorist,” Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) added.

Several lawmakers raised particular concerns about Turkey’s influence in Syria. Some linked the Syrian government’s offensive against the SDF to Turkey’s longtime enmity toward the Kurds, and others said that they see Syria as the first step in an attempt by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to build a regional empire. 

“Right now in Turkey, they are increasingly an Islamic dictatorship. The chief opponent to Erdoğan is in jail. He will not get out prior to the elections, I don’t believe,” Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) said. “Erdoğan is overturning the secular state that Atatürk set up, and I think that that is going to set up, between Turkey and Israel, a future conflict.”

Self said he thinks Turkey aims to replace Iran as a regional power in the Middle East. 

Rep. Josh Brecheen (R-OK) highlighted that Erdoğan publicly aspires to restore the Ottoman Empire, which, he noted, requires “driving all the way to Jerusalem,” and said that al-Sharaa has not appeared to cross Turkey at any point.

“My real belief is that Erdoğan’s desire to have a re-establishment of the Ottoman Empire, that al-Sharaa is not being fully truthful to what his real goal is,” Brecheen said. “My great concern is that we are enabling the prosperity of Turkey, we are enabling the prosperity of Russia, and al-Sharaa is not being truthful to us. And that years down the road, if prosperity comes — it’s not going to change the jihadist mentality.”

He suggested that he does not believe that Amb. Tom Barrack, who serves as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, should be serving simultaneously as the U.S. envoy to Syria, to ensure that the U.S. can “play hardball in Syria” while Barrack maintains good relations with Turkey.

Nadine Maenza, the former chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, said that she does not believe that Barrack’s dual role is serving the U.S. well and emphasized that the State Department appears to be deferring to Barrack on Syria policy. She also said the U.S., and Barrack, should not “reward” the Syrian government with economic deals after atrocities by government-aligned forces.

Witnesses who testified before the committee were divided, with some witnesses urging pressure on the Syrian government to ensure it implements and sustains protections for the Kurds and other minorities and suggesting the U.S. continue to align most closely with its longtime partners in the SDF, while others defended al-Sharaa as an imperfect but reliable partner who had covertly worked with the United States for years.

Lawmakers and expert witnesses pushed back at a Helsinki Commission hearing on Tuesday on efforts to reimpose sanctions on the Syrian government for its assault against the Kurds and other minorities, and pushed for the U.S. to facilitate a diplomatic arrangement between Israel and Turkey that would allow for a greater Turkish presence in Syria — in part as a counterweight to Russia.

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced legislation last week to reimpose sanctions on the Syrian government, in response to Damascus’ attacks on the Kurds, which for years had been backed by the U.S. as the minority group fought the Islamic State.

Meanwhile, Israel has remained deeply skeptical of the new Syrian government and is resistant to an expanded Turkish presence in Syria, given Ankara’s open hostility toward Israel in recent years, which has included threats to invade, and ambitions for regional dominance.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and leading advocate for sanctions repeal in the Senate, criticized colleagues who were pushing to re-impose sanctions, arguing that the repeal of the sanctions has been “successful,” suggesting that their reimposition would push Syria into Russia’s hands.

“The empirical record shows that countries that we’ve sanctioned and tried to coerce, if they are strong enough, will bandwagon, will hedge against us, try to find other patrons,” Richard Outzen, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, said. “That’s how Russia has a back door here.”

The hearing was focused primarily on finding ways to counter the Russian presence in Syria.

Outzen asserted that sanctions would not lead to the results their advocates seek, but rather renewed violence and fragmentation.

Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), a champion in the House for sanctions repeal, said he hopes to see any remaining sanctions, including Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, repealed as well.

Witnesses at the hearing noted that Russia is taking steps to entrench its presence and expand its relationship with the Syrian government, and that Syria remains heavily reliant on Russia. They largely called for increased engagement and incentives for the new Syrian government to counter Russia rather than coercive measures.

“The way to not abandon the Kurds is to not abandon Damascus. The best way to do that is to remain engaged and provide pathways to regional roles for Turkey and others, and not to give in to voices that say, we can’t trust [Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa],” Outzen said.

Asked about whether al-Sharaa can be trusted to protect minorities in Syria, Outzen argued that the bigger issue is whether he has the ability to control his own forces, given that many in al-Sharaa’s ranks are jihadists.

“The greatest way to protect [minorities] is to institutionalize and reform the Syrian military. That comes with a stabilized state, and frankly, probably comes with the U.S. providing oversight, whether that’s U.S. forces or contract mechanisms to insist on reforms so that the sort of people that have been responsible for atrocities fighting on that side are weeded out quickly, and, if they’re not Syrians, are sent out of the country,” Outzen said.

Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, likewise said that al-Sharaa’s “biggest problem … more than whatever he has in his heart — he has a cadre of people around him who are quite happy to go out and slaughter minorities. And they need to be kept on a short leash, and they need to be trained up,” he continued.

Doran described Turkey as the “key partner” in helping to build and professionalize the Syrian military.

Wilson expressed support for an expanded Turkish military presence in Syria as a path to removing Russian bases from Syria. He said he wants to see a deal between Turkey and Israel to facilitate that goal.

“Sadly, some in Israel prefer a weak and divided Syria and view an extended Russian presence as a buffer against Turkey. I believe this is suicidal for Israel,” Wilson said. “This will only be possible if Israel and Turkey deescalate and reach a detente in Syria.”

Wilson said that it was “startling to me” that Israel saw a Russian presence in Syria as a counterweight to Turkey.

“Our ability to expel the Russians from Syria, in the end, is going to be dependent on our ability to strike a balance between the Turks and the Israelis, and this is going to take a very sustained commitment on our part,” Doran agreed.

“I think the American leadership in pulling the Turks and the Israelis together and encouraging them, almost forcing them to talk to each other, is, I think, the starting point for solving this problem,” Doran said.

“I think the greatest fear of Israelis, more than the ideological onslaught of the Islamists against Israel and the Syrian minorities, is that Syria will become a Turkish military base — the front lines in an effort to annihilate Israel,” he continued. “I think we have a major role to play here, in getting the two sides to come to an accommodation.”

He said he wants to see Syria become a “buffer state” between Turkey and Israel, comparing it to Jordan as a buffer between Israel and Iraq.

Outzen said that outreach will be needed to the Israeli government to push back on their approach, bring together Israeli and Turkish security officials and emphasize Turkey’s role as a NATO ally and a close partner of the Trump administration — in spite of Israel’s own deep concerns about Turkey’s regional ambitions.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) called on Saudi Arabia to end what he described as its “attack on the United Arab Emirates” and slammed the country’s silence regarding the Syrian government’s campaign against the Kurds, demanding the kingdom use its influence to “keep the region from falling further into chaos.”

Graham made the comments in a post Tuesday morning on X, hours after announcing his plans to introduce legislation this week imposing sanctions on any government or group involved in targeting Kurdish forces in Syria. Syrian government forces have recently led a campaign against the Kurdish-led and U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, resulting in the loss of SDF control over parts of the country’s territory. 

“As previously stated, I am trying to work with the administration and regional partners to prevent a bloodbath in Syria against our Kurdish allies,” Graham wrote. “It is now time for the region to change their ways and man up for decency.”

“To Saudi Arabia: I have tried to work hard to chart a new path for relations between your country, the United States and the region,” he continued. “I have tremendous respect for many of the changes that have been embraced. However, the Kingdom’s attack on the United Arab Emirates and their silence regarding the Syrian government’s constant assault on the Kurds has to change.”

Last month, Saudi forces carried out airstrikes in southern Yemen targeting what they said were weapons shipments from the United Arab Emirates to UAE-backed separatists, escalating tensions between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi and prompting the UAE to announce a withdrawal of its remaining forces from Yemen.

The South Carolina senator continued, “Please understand that I am smart enough to know that Saudi Arabia has influence on the Syrian government, and I expect them to use it to keep the region from falling further into chaos.”

Graham, who has been closely engaged with the Saudis while lobbying the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel, said earlier this month that he would be “dramatically rethinking” the “nature of” the U.S. alliance with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states if they “intervened on behalf of Iran to avoid decisive military action” by President Donald Trump against the Iranian regime.

“All the headlines suggesting that our so-called Arab allies have intervened on behalf of Iran to avoid decisive military action by President Trump are beyond disturbing. The ayatollah’s regime has American blood on its hands. They are slaughtering people in the streets,” Graham said at the time. 

“If it is accurate that the Arab response is ‘action is not necessary against Iran’ given this current outrageous slaughter of innocent people, then there will be a dramatic rethinking on my part regarding the nature of the alliances now and in the future.”

U.S. officials and GOP legislators are raising concerns about the Syrian government military offensive against territory held by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which has been a close U.S. ally. 

Several Republican lawmakers said the Syrian government is failing to meet expectations that Damascus would protect minority rights — which was their impetus to agree to repeal the Caesar Act sanctions on Syria just months ago. 

The lawmakers are now threatening to reverse course — but re-imposing those sanctions would be a difficult task.

The Syrian military, assisted by local tribal militias, has advanced into areas of northern Syria long held by the SDF, pushing them out and taking control of major power-generation facilities and oil and gas fields. Despite certain agreements made between Syrian Kurds and the government, the SDF said the government had not offered them sufficient concessions or autonomy.

On Sunday, the Syrian government announced a new agreement with the SDF, which would involve further significant concessions by the SDF to the Syrian government.

“The United States commends the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for their constructive efforts in reaching today’s ceasefire agreement, paving the way for renewed dialogue and cooperation toward a unified Syria,” U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as Syria envoy, said in a statement.

Barrack said that the Syrian government had “affirmed that the Kurds are an integral part of Syria, and the United States looks forward to the seamless integration of our historic partner in the fight against ISIS with the Global Coalition’s newest member, as we press forward in the enduring battle against terrorism.”

He said that work would have to continue to finalize a “comprehensive integration agreement.”

On Saturday, some U.S. officials had expressed concerns about the Syrian government offensive.

“We welcome ongoing efforts by all parties in Syria to prevent escalation and pursue resolution through dialogue. We also urge Syrian government forces to cease any offensive actions in areas between Aleppo and al-Tabqa,” Adm. Brad Cooper, who leads U.S. Central Command, said in a statement on Saturday. “Aggressively pursuing ISIS and relentlessly applying military pressure requires teamwork among Syrian partners in coordination with U.S. and coalition forces. A Syria at peace with itself and its neighbors is essential to peace and stability across the region.”

Several prominent GOP lawmakers also expressed concern about the developing situation and threatened to reimpose sanctions as a result.

“The Kurdish people have long fought for a better future for Syria and have been steadfast American partners,” Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), the House Foreign Affairs Committee chair, said in a statement. “It is time for Syrian President [Ahmad] al-Sharaa to follow in their footsteps and work for his country’s future, rather than fighting the Kurdish people.”

Mast had been a skeptic of fully repealing the Caesar sanctions, but ultimately acquiesced.

“If there is use of military force by the new Syrian government against Syrian Kurds and the SDF, that would create tremendous instability in Syria and the region and would tell me all I need to know about this new regime,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said. “If military action is taken by the Syrian government, I will do everything in my power to revive the Caesar Act sanctions, making them even more bone crushing.”

Graham fought, unsuccessfully, to place binding conditions on the repeal of the sanctions. He and Mast ultimately both pushed for non-binding conditions to be included in the repeal, which recommended the administration reimpose sanctions if the Syrian government fails to protect minority rights.

Lawmakers faced intense pressure, including from the Trump administration as well as from Syrian diaspora groups, to agree to a full and unconditional repeal of the sanctions. Restoring a sanctions regime similar to Caesar now would likely require renewed action by Congress.

“Amidst numerous brutal attacks on religious and ethnic minorities in Syria — including Christians, Druze, and Kurds — I call on the Syrian government to do more to stop the violence immediately,” Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the former Foreign Affairs Committee chairman, said. “Congress’ repeal of Caesar Act sanctions should not be misconstrued as indifference to the government’s actions, but as an expectation that they will form a better future in which all Syrians can live in peace.”

McCaul, like Graham, suggested that Congress would act to reimpose sanctions if the Syrian government does not change course in protecting minorities and following through on an agreement to integrate the SDF into the state armed forces.

“I am also deeply concerned by reports that armed forces are advancing against the Syrian Democratic Forces in Aleppo. I would remind the Syrian government that the Caesar Act repeal included requirements on protecting ethnic minorities and upholding the March 10th integration agreements with the SDF,” McCaul continued. “The government must immediately de-escalate and protect vulnerable communities to ensure the stability of the region. Congress — and the United States — is watching closely.”

Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-IN) said that the Syrian government has the “responsibility” to stop any violence in Syria and “must protect all Syrians from [being] attacked — no matter their religion.”

“The outcome of this situation is going to determine how America approaches Syrian diplomacy in the future. If Al-Sharra needs help putting a stop to the violence, he should ask for help!” Stutzman, one of the first lawmakers to travel to Syria after the fall of the Assad regime, said. “Sanctions can be reversed!!”