Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Thursday reaffirmed its partnership with Washington, expressing gratitude to a veteran statesman who condemned the “egregious acts” committed by Damascus forces against the Kurdish community in Aleppo, and to another prominent senator who warned of a “stronger reaction” if Syrian forces advance further against “our Kurdish allies.”
In a statement on X, Elham Ahmed, a senior official from the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) in Rojava, expressed gratitude to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch and influential US Senator Lindsey Graham “for your critical support."
“Your clear messages give us hope that our partnership and sacrifices will not be forgotten,” the co-chair of foreign relations for the DAANES said, adding, “We deeply appreciate your steadfast support for your [Kurdish] allies in our darkest hours.”
The top Rojava official further noted that "the interim Syrian government is demanding we dismantle our defense structures while simultaneously launching brutal and cruel attacks against Kurdish people in Aleppo," affirming, "We remain committed to dialogue, but Syria’s transition cannot come at the expense of Kurdish people and other minorities who fought alongside [the United States of America against [the Islamic State] ISIS."
Ahmed’s remarks came in response to a statement from Risch, who on Tuesday condemned the desecration of a Kurdish female fighter by Damascus-affiliated militants, who executed her, threw her lifeless body from a building, and hurled insults.
The desecration occurred amid a military operation by the Syrian Arab Army and affiliated armed groups to expel the Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish) from Aleppo's Kurdish-majority neighborhoods last week, killing around 100 people and displacing roughly 150,000. The Asayish had been securing the two quarters for nearly 15 years.
Risch said he was “gravely concerned about the conduct of armed forces in Aleppo, Syria, over the past week,” and urged the Syrian interim government to “hold accountable those who committed these egregious acts.”
“After years of war, the role of Syria’s new government and armed forces is to safeguard the inherent rights of its citizens, not to infringe upon them,” Risch emphasized.
For his part, influential US Senator Graham on Wednesday reshared Risch’s post, stating, “I fully endorse and support Senator Risch’s call for calm in Syria, putting the new Syrian government on notice that human rights abuses against minorities will not be tolerated.”
Shortly after a ceasefire was declared in Aleppo’s Kurdish areas on Sunday, the Syrian army’s Operations Command on Tuesday designated the eastern Aleppo towns of Deir Hafer and Maskanah as “closed military zones.”
These towns are controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), an affiliate of the Asayish, which serves as the de facto military force in Rojava. The SDF is also the primary on-the-ground partner of the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, playing a central role in the extremist group’s territorial defeat in Syria in 2019.
Crucially, seizing the eastern Aleppo areas would allow Damascus and its allied factions to open a logistical corridor connecting Aleppo to Raqqa province in north-central Syria, while also enabling increased military pressure on the SDF in key positions along the Euphrates River.
Senator Graham said Wednesday, “Most disturbing of all is that I’m receiving what I believe to be credible reports that Syrian army forces and Turkey may be advancing further against our Kurdish allies - a move that I believe would prompt a strong response from the United States.”
He added, “While I support giving this new Syrian government a chance, I will not tolerate or accept a brazen attack against our Kurdish allies,” concluding, “To the Syrian government and Turkey: choose wisely.”
US lawmakers warn Damascus on Kurdish forces, minority rights
Diyar Kurda@diyarkurda
RUDAW
Congressmen who spoke to on January 14, 2026. Photos: Rudaw
WASHINGTON DC - Senior US House Foreign Affairs Committee members on Wednesday expressed concern over recent attacks on US-backed Kurdish forces in Aleppo, warning they are closely monitoring minority rights and may impose consequences on the Syrian government if abuses continue.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, a Republican, told Rudaw Washington is focused on ensuring that all Syrian communities, including Kurds and other minorities, have a better future than under former President Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship.
“I’ve had the opportunity to speak to General Mazloum and others,” Mast said, referring to Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi.
“Something that the United States of America is paying attention to - whether it’s the Kurds, whether it’s the Alawites, whether it’s the Druze, whether it’s anybody else [in Syria] - is that we want to see a Syria that presents an opportunity unlike what existed under Bashar al-Assad,” he said.
“We want to see an opportunity for all of the people there, and that’s something that we’re working towards,” Mast added.
The comments come amid heightened tensions in northern Syria, where Kurdish-led forces have accused the Syrian military and Damascus-allied armed groups of rights violations. The attacks have raised concerns in Washington about stability and minority rights under the new Sunni Arab-led interim government.
Backed by armed groups affiliated with Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army this week expanded its attack on the SDF in northern Syria following a military operation to expel Kurdish forces in Aleppo. Around 150,000 residents fled the fighting Kurdish-majority neighborhoods, raising fears of ethnic cleansing and threats against Yazidi minorities.
Rudaw asked lawmakers about Washington’s decision last month to lift sanctions on Syria, which was intended to help the interim government rebuild and improve its human rights record despite reports of continued violations.
Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the committee, told Rudaw Washington is monitoring developments closely “to make sure they respect the rights of all Syrians, minorities and others.”
He said the Syrian government needs “to get the message, and we’ll be reaching out to others … about what they have to monitor. Otherwise, there will be ramifications.”
Asked about attacks by the Syrian Arab Army on Kurdish forces that fought alongside the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), Meeks said inclusivity is essential for Syria’s future.
“All of the individuals in Syria, the minority groups, the Kurds, they all should be part of one,” he said. “That is what we’re watching. That is what we’re monitoring. And we’re making that strong message, because just as easily as you take something away, you can bring it back.”
Meeks said Washington hopes Syria is moving in a “new and different direction” after decades of authoritarian rule, adding that US policy will reflect developments on the ground.
Republican congressman Tim Burchett also issued a blunt warning to Damascus, saying Syria’s leadership must change course.
“Syria needs to wake up,” Burchett told Rudaw. US President Donald Trump “is not fooling around. This oppression that [Syrian leaders] do to their people and abuse is just wrong. They’ve had a history of this with these thugs.”
Burchett emphasized that while US military power is significant, economic pressure remains a key tool.
Responding to a question about attacks on Kurdish forces that fought ISIS, Burchett said, “The enemy of our enemy is our friend, and they’ve been fighting our friends. So, I think they need to shape up.”
Diyar Kurda@diyarkurda
RUDAW
Congressmen who spoke to on January 14, 2026. Photos: Rudaw
WASHINGTON DC - Senior US House Foreign Affairs Committee members on Wednesday expressed concern over recent attacks on US-backed Kurdish forces in Aleppo, warning they are closely monitoring minority rights and may impose consequences on the Syrian government if abuses continue.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, a Republican, told Rudaw Washington is focused on ensuring that all Syrian communities, including Kurds and other minorities, have a better future than under former President Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship.
“I’ve had the opportunity to speak to General Mazloum and others,” Mast said, referring to Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi.
“Something that the United States of America is paying attention to - whether it’s the Kurds, whether it’s the Alawites, whether it’s the Druze, whether it’s anybody else [in Syria] - is that we want to see a Syria that presents an opportunity unlike what existed under Bashar al-Assad,” he said.
“We want to see an opportunity for all of the people there, and that’s something that we’re working towards,” Mast added.
The comments come amid heightened tensions in northern Syria, where Kurdish-led forces have accused the Syrian military and Damascus-allied armed groups of rights violations. The attacks have raised concerns in Washington about stability and minority rights under the new Sunni Arab-led interim government.
Backed by armed groups affiliated with Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army this week expanded its attack on the SDF in northern Syria following a military operation to expel Kurdish forces in Aleppo. Around 150,000 residents fled the fighting Kurdish-majority neighborhoods, raising fears of ethnic cleansing and threats against Yazidi minorities.
Rudaw asked lawmakers about Washington’s decision last month to lift sanctions on Syria, which was intended to help the interim government rebuild and improve its human rights record despite reports of continued violations.
Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the committee, told Rudaw Washington is monitoring developments closely “to make sure they respect the rights of all Syrians, minorities and others.”
Asked about attacks by the Syrian Arab Army on Kurdish forces that fought alongside the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), Meeks said inclusivity is essential for Syria’s future.
“All of the individuals in Syria, the minority groups, the Kurds, they all should be part of one,” he said. “That is what we’re watching. That is what we’re monitoring. And we’re making that strong message, because just as easily as you take something away, you can bring it back.”
Meeks said Washington hopes Syria is moving in a “new and different direction” after decades of authoritarian rule, adding that US policy will reflect developments on the ground.
Republican congressman Tim Burchett also issued a blunt warning to Damascus, saying Syria’s leadership must change course.
“Syria needs to wake up,” Burchett told Rudaw. US President Donald Trump “is not fooling around. This oppression that [Syrian leaders] do to their people and abuse is just wrong. They’ve had a history of this with these thugs.”
Burchett emphasized that while US military power is significant, economic pressure remains a key tool.
“I believe the President [Trump] understands that the most powerful thing we have is our military, but the second most powerful thing we have is our economic strength,” he said. “I think Syria’s leadership better wake up.”
Responding to a question about attacks on Kurdish forces that fought ISIS, Burchett said, “The enemy of our enemy is our friend, and they’ve been fighting our friends. So, I think they need to shape up.”
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