Peregraf — U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R–South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D–Connecticut) on Thursday introduced the Save the Kurds Act, a bipartisan bill responding to what they described as repeated attacks by Syrian government forces on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The proposed legislation seeks to impose sanctions on Syrian government officials, financial institutions, and foreign individuals involved in any military or financial transactions with Damascus. The bill comes amid escalating tensions in northeastern Syria, where the SDF remains a key U.S. partner in counterterrorism operations.
During the U.S.-led campaign to dismantle the Islamic State (ISIS) caliphate, the SDF played a central role, suffering heavy casualties while securing large parts of northeastern Syria. Despite the defeat of ISIS’ territorial control, the region remains volatile, with SDF-run areas hosting prisons that hold thousands of ISIS fighters and their families, guarded largely by Kurdish forces. Around 1,000 U.S. troops are also stationed in the area.
According to the senators, continued attacks on the SDF not only threaten regional stability but also endanger U.S. personnel and risk an ISIS resurgence. They also warned that such actions could undermine Washington’s relationship with Syria’s new leadership.
Following the ouster of the Assad government, Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa has framed military operations against the SDF as part of efforts to unify the country after years of civil war. However, U.S. lawmakers say there is evidence that these attacks are being coordinated with and supported by Turkey.
“I believe that there is strong bipartisan support for the idea of protecting the Kurds in Syria and beyond because they have been such a reliable ally to the United States,” Graham said in a statement. “The SDF — with a large Kurdish element — took the brunt of the fight to defeat ISIS in President Trump’s first term. Attacking the Kurds greatly diminishes the United States’ standing and will hinder Syria’s ability to grow as a country.”
Graham added that any actors who believe there will be no consequences for targeting Kurds in Syria are “sadly mistaken.”
Blumenthal echoed the concern, saying, “I believe we need to protect the Kurds in Syria and take action to ensure they are protected from any retribution or revenge by the Syrian government.”
The Save the Kurds Act includes several key provisions:
• Imposing sanctions on Syrian government officials, financial institutions, and foreign individuals providing military or financial support to Damascus
• Formally recognizing the Kurdish-led SDF for its role alongside the U.S. in defeating ISIS
• Redesignating Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization
• Requiring congressional approval before removing Syria from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism
• Granting the president authority to suspend sanctions if Syria certifies it has halted all attacks on the SDF and its partners
• Including a “snapback” mechanism mandating the immediate reimposition of sanctions if attacks resume
Lawmakers argue the bill is critical to U.S. national security, stressing that protecting allies on the ground is essential to preventing ISIS from regrouping and maintaining stability in post-war Syria.