US congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard made a rare secret visit to Syria as part of her effort toward ending the years-long conflict in the Middle Eastern nation, her office said.
House Democrat Gabbard, an Iraq war veteran, made a fact-finding mission to the capital Damascus despite continued fighting in the war-torn country in contravention of a frail ceasefire.
"As an individual committed to doing all she can to promote and work for peace, she felt it was important to meet with a number of individuals and groups including religious leaders, humanitarian workers, refugees and government and community leaders," said Gabbard spokeswoman Emily Latimer.
The exact dates of the trip were not provided for security reasons, but her office said she was currently in the Middle East.