Senator Lindsey Graham and Mike Pompeo Urge Protection for Syrian Kurds Amid Government Offensive
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senator Lindsey Graham and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have sounded urgent alarms over the deteriorating situation in northern Syria, where Syrian government forces have launched an offensive against Kurdish-controlled areas. The Kurdish population, long-standing U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS, now faces a dire threat as President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s army moves to reclaim territory held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for more than a decade.
In a message posted on the social media platform X, Graham emphasized a “strong and growing bipartisan interest in the U.S. Senate regarding the deteriorating situation in Syria,” underscoring a “strong consensus that we must protect the Kurds who were there for us in destroying the ISIS caliphate, as well as many other groups.” His call reflects mounting concern in Washington over the potential consequences of the Syrian government’s advances, which reportedly include forces with significant jihadist elements.
Pompeo echoed Graham’s warnings, stating, “Turning our backs on our Kurdish allies would be a moral and strategic disaster.” His remarks highlight the longstanding partnership between the United States and the Kurdish forces, who have been instrumental in counterterrorism operations across the region.
The urgency of the situation is compounded by fears of renewed instability and the resurgence of extremist groups. Recent reports indicate that the chaos in Syria has sparked concerns about ISIS prison breaks, prompting the U.S. to accelerate the transfer of detainees from Syrian facilities to secure locations in Iraq. The U.S. Department of State continues to monitor the evolving security landscape closely.
Graham’s and Pompeo’s statements come amid broader debates within the U.S. government about the future role of American forces and diplomatic engagement in Syria. The Kurdish-led SDF, backed by the U.S. for years, has been a critical partner in dismantling ISIS’s territorial control, a fact recognized by the Department of Defense. The potential loss of Kurdish-held territory threatens to undermine these gains and destabilize the region further.
Experts warn that abandoning the Kurds could have far-reaching consequences. The CIA World Factbook notes the complex ethnic and political dynamics in Syria, where Kurdish autonomy has been a sensitive and contentious issue for decades. The current offensive risks reigniting conflicts that could spill across borders and exacerbate humanitarian crises.
As the situation unfolds, members of Congress are calling for a clear and coordinated U.S. strategy to support Kurdish allies and prevent further deterioration. The U.S. Congress is expected to debate potential legislative measures to address the crisis and reaffirm commitments to partners in the region.
With the Syrian government’s forces advancing and Kurdish communities at risk, the international community watches closely. The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether diplomatic and military efforts can avert a humanitarian disaster and preserve the hard-won gains against extremism in Syria.
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