US lawmakers announce anti-normalization bill
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A bipartisan group of US lawmakers is planning to introduce a bill on Thursday that would bar the White House from normalizing ties with the government of Bashar al-Assad and facilitate sanctioning countries that do.
The “Assad Regime Anti-Normalization Act” of 2023 was introduced by Representatives Joe Wilson, Vicente Gonzalez, Michael McCaul, Brendan Boyle, French Hill, Steve Cohen, Carlos Gimenez and Amata Radewagen.
The bill’s provisions include “a requirement for an annual strategy from the secretary of state for five years on countering normalization with Assad’s government, including a list of diplomatic meetings held between Syria’s government and Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and others,” according to Retuers.
The bill also impose sanctions on airports that allow two Syrian national airlines – Syrian Arab Airlines and Cham Wing – to land on their premises.
If passed, the bill would also require a review of any transactions, including donations over $50,000, to areas held by al-Assad’s government by anyone in Turkey, the UAE, Egypt and several other countries.
A staffer told Reuters that “the legislation is a warning to Turkey and Arab countries that if they engage with Assad’s government, they could face severe consequences … The readmission of Syria to the Arab League really infuriated members and made clear the need to quickly act to send a signal.”
Damascus was readmitted to the Arab League this week and will likely attend a League summit in Riyadh on May 19. Several Middle Eastern countries have recently made moves to normalize ties with al-Assad’s government.