U.S. lawmakers are sounding the alarm over Syrian Kurdish populations facing attacks by government forces in northeastern Syria. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo emphasized the urgent need to protect the Kurds, longtime U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa ordered his army, which reportedly includes jihadist elements, to seize territory controlled by the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for over a decade. Graham tweeted that there is a “strong consensus” in the U.S. Senate to safeguard the Kurds, recognizing their crucial role in defeating the ISIS caliphate. Pompeo described abandoning Kurdish allies as a “moral and strategic disaster.”
The SDF, a primarily Kurdish-led force, helped contain the rapid spread of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, detaining thousands of fighters and family members in camps such as al-Hol and al-Shaddadi. The Kurdish-led forces remain wary of trusting the Syrian army, warning that radical factions within the government could carry out attacks similar to past massacres.
Iham Ahmed, a prominent Syrian Kurdish politician, called on the international community to provide tangible guarantees for the protection of Kurds, highlighting risks from both Syrian forces and Turkish-backed attacks. She urged a “special status” for northeastern Syria to ensure Kurdish safety and stability.
U.S. officials, including Ambassador Tom Barrack, argue that Syria’s central government has joined the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, signaling potential cooperation with the U.S. on counterterrorism. However, Kurdish leaders see this as insufficient, warning that the political and military partnership offers no long-term guarantees.
The conflict has sparked fears of renewed violence and instability in the region. While a 15-day ceasefire has been announced, reports indicate continued Syrian troop buildups near Kurdish-held areas, raising concerns that hostilities could resume.
Observers say the situation represents a critical test for U.S. foreign policy in the region, as well as for international efforts to protect minority groups who helped defeat ISIS. Lawmakers and Kurdish officials are calling for coordinated international support to prevent further displacement, massacres, and humanitarian crises in northeastern Syria.
