US senators seek sanctions on Turkey, citing military action in Syria

WASHINGTON ,—U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Lindsey Graham have warned of bipartisan sanctions against Turkey if it rejects a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal and a plan by Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazlum Abdi to establish a demilitarized zone in Kobani in Syrian Kurdistan.

The senators argue that Turkey’s ongoing attacks on Kurdish allies in northern Syria jeopardize regional stability and undermine efforts to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State group.

The “Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2024” introduced Friday by Van Hollen, a Democrat, and Graham, a Republican, seeks to impose sanctions on Turkey in response to its military campaign and support for pro-Turkey Syrian Islamist groups in northern Syria. The senators said the threat of sanctions is aimed at fostering peace and stability.

“Sanctions are necessary to prevent further Turkish or Turkish-backed attacks on the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which could lead to the resurgence of ISIS and pose a threat to U.S. national security and global stability,” the senators said in a joint statement.

Hostilities in northern Syria have intensified since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad earlier in December. Turkey has escalated military operations in the Syria’s Kurdish region, targeting Kurdish fighters aligned with the U.S.-backed SDF.

On Dec. 9, 2024, Turkish forces and allied Syrian Islamist militants captured the city of Manbij from the SDF, further destabilizing the region.

The SDF has been a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS, playing a pivotal role in the 2019 offensive that crippled the extremist group’s hold on Syria. Despite this cooperation, Turkey views the SDF as a branch of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group designated as a “terrorist” organization by Ankara.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed his stance Friday, stating, “It is time to neutralize the terror groups operating in Syria,” referring to Kurdish forces.

The SDF, which serves as the de facto military arm of the autonomous Kurdish administration in northeastern Syria (Rojava), has liberated significant territory from ISIS, including the extremist group’s last stronghold in Baghouz in March 2019. Kurdish forces have since detained an estimated 12,000 suspected ISIS members in makeshift prisons.

Turkey’s actions have drawn sharp criticism from U.S. lawmakers, who highlight the sacrifices made by Kurdish forces in the fight against ISIS. According to Kurdish officials, over 21,000 Kurdish male and female fighters have been killed battling ISIS and Turkish-backed Islamist militants.

Van Hollen and Graham urged diplomatic efforts alongside sanctions to establish a lasting ceasefire and a demilitarized zone between Turkey and Syrian Kurdistan, Rojava.

“This is about protecting our partners and ensuring ISIS does not regain a foothold,” the senators said.

The PYD-led Autonomous Administration in Syrian Kurdistan, widely regarded for its governance model, has established a secular, decentralized system that prioritizes gender equality, direct democracy, and environmental stewardship.

On Sept. 6, 2018, the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria was officially announced in Ain Issa. Since then, it has worked to implement democratic confederalism across municipalities and regions in northeastern Syria.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)