Will Trump back US senators backing Kurds in Syria

Serwan Zangana | Exclusive to iKurd.net

After the fall of President Bashar Al-Assad by Islamic rebel Hayat Tahrir Al-sham, HTS, with Turkish backed militias, the Syrian National Army, and change the structure of the Syrian regime, the size of the threat for the Kurds in Syria remains high.

Indeed, the fate of the Kurds is uncertain more than ever. Turkey is repositioning for a firm grip on the Kurdish territories in Syria. It is not a surprise move by Turkey as its goal is to maintain the vicious iron hammer on the Kurds to halt the growth of the Kurdish society.

Turkey’s vision is to completely destroy the armed Kurdish groups and end the idea and the dream of Kurdish autonomy in both Syria and Turkey. Now, as the new Syrian government is in a fragile position, it is an opportunity for Turkey to intervene further and attack the Kurds in the region.

Commenting on the fall of Al-Assad, the top commander of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, Mazloum Abdi said, “This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantee the rights of all Syrians.” Indeed, this change is a new and a critical challenge for commander Abdi and the Kurds in Syria, as Turkey has already announced that it will resume its military operations against the SDF.

Turkey is continuing its attacks and strikes on Kurds in the region, and such operations of the Turkey regime will not end through negotiations and peace talks. Also, Turkey has vowed to destroy the Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, which means the end of the Kurdish goal in establishing autonomy in South East Turkey. Apparently, the modern Turkey regime is a continuation of the Ottoman Empire, which imposes threat to the entire region.

With the collapse of Assad’s regime, Kurds did not wake up to a bright horizon, as in fact, there is a darker cloud in the Kurdish sky in Syria. The Islamic militias being the main group in power and supported by Turkey cannot evolve the former Assad’s regime to a democratic government that embraces Kurds.

Obviously, it can be a debatable subject to compare the brutality of the two of Assad and Erdogan’s regimes. In addition to Turkey’s viciousness and the barbarity of the Islamic State, ISIS, Kurds perhaps have to face the new regime of Syria, as well.

And despite the promise made by the leader of HTS, the main Islamic group that toppled Assad, Abu Mohammad Al-Golani to establish a government that represents all Syrians, “Council chosen by the people.” He said. But in fact, there is no faith in establishing a democratic government led by an Islamic group and influenced by Turkey.

The obvious propaganda and political rhetoric of Al-Golani should not deceive the Kurds in Syria. In fact, while it is joyous times for many Syrians to celebrate the end of Assad’s regime, it is a perilous time for Kurds and commander Abdi with a much broken country. Between the radical Islamic groups and the Turkish chauvinism, Kurds are standing in the middle of a dangerous intersection.

It is the U.S’s ethical duty to increase its support to Kurds in Syria

As a long-standing ally to the U.S, the Kurds’ tremendous loyalty throughout history has built a solid foundation for the Americans to rely on in the region. Obviously, many Americans have realized the remarkable sacrifices of SDF fighters and the trustworthiness of the Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan.

The U.S Senator, John Kennedy (Louisiana) very clearly sent a message to Turkey to stop its heinous military operations against Kurds, “President Erdogan, the distinguished President of Turkey, leave the Kurds alone, leave the Kurds alone…” Sen. Kennedy said. And indeed, he profoundly commended the Kurds, and in an inimitable way he described the Kurds’ bravery and the sacrifices, as they were alongside Americans fighting ISIS.

“ The Kurds are America’s friends.” Sen. Kennedy said. It is without a doubt that in addition to Jews, Kurds are the most loyal ally of America. However, speaking about the U.S fight against ISIS and the destruction of its Caliphate (Khilafah) in the region, Sen. Kennedy said,

“We destroyed their Caliphate, the people most responsible for helping us, most responsible for destroying the ISIS were the Kurds…” Sen. Kennedy did not hesitate to point out the importance of the Kurds in fighting terrorist radical Muslim groups, and the sacrifices of the Kurdish fighters, “ We lost less than 20 American lives…our friends from Kurd lost over 10000, fighting alongside us….without the Kurds, ISIS would still be there…” Sen. Kennedy said.

It is an important message from a member of the U.S government to warn Turkey President Erdogan, and in a plain language telling him, “If you invade Syria and touch a hair on the head of the Kurds, I am going to ask this United States of Congress to do something, and our sanction are not going to help the economy of Turkey…”

Furthermore, Senator Lindsey Graham (South Carolina) also expressed his support to protect the Kurds in Syria while it is transitioning to a new government. Sen. Graham posted on X “ We should not allow the Kurdish forces-who helped us destroy ISIS on President Trump’’ watch-to be threatened by Turkey or the radical Islamists who have taken over Syria.”

The “Countering Turkish Aggression Act of 2024,” introduced Friday by Senators Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, and Lindsey Graham, a Republican, calls for sanctions on Turkey over its military actions and backing of pro-Turkey Islamist groups in northern Syria. The lawmakers said the proposed sanctions are intended to encourage peace and stability in the region.

It is time for the U.S to send an unwavering support to the Kurds in Syria and establish a shield to protect the innocent Kurdish people in the region. But the questions are: Will the elected President, Donald Trump stand alongside the Senators to protect the Kurds from Turkey? Or in the event of an extensive military attack on the SDF, can sanctions solely avert Turkey’s attacks?

Serwan Zangana, a contributing writer for iKurd.net, lives in Virginia, U.S. He serves as a correction officer.

The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of iKurd.net or its editorial team.