U.S. congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has left Syria after a two-day fact finding trip where she met with humanitarian workers, refugees, and government leaders, her spokesperson Emily Latimer said on Wednesday.
The Iraq war veteran’s visit, which also included Lebanon, was kept a secret for security reasons, according to Latimer, who did not say whether she met with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
The Hawaii Democrat has been critical of the Obama administration’s insistence that Assad be removed from power in Syria, despite his war crimes. Ousting Assad would only create instability, she argues. She’s also chided Obama for his refusal to use the phrase “radical Islamic terrorism,” an attack he typically gets from the right.
Accompanied by former Democratic Congressman from Ohio Dennis Kucinich,
Gabbard was flown to war-torn Aleppo “without any Syrian officials,” and visited the eastern part, which was under siege by the regime until it was retaken last month, according to Al Watan newspaper.
The visit also included a stop at a camp for displaced residents from Fuaa and Kefraya, which were captured by Syrian opposition, as well as Aleppo’s university hospital.
The trip was most likely paid for by a non-governmental organization (NGO,) the Hill insiders say but they aren’t sure which one or if it has ties to the Assad regime.