U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) on Thursday introduced the Save the Kurds Act, in response to the Syrian government forces’ repeated attacks on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). 

“During the U.S. effort to destroy the ISIS caliphate, the SDF contributed significantly to the success of the operation. Following the destruction of the caliphate, the SDF controlled northeastern Syria. After ousting the Assad government, the new Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has waged a campaign against the Kurdish-led SDF under the guise of uniting the country after years of civil war. However, there is evidence that the attacks on the Kurdish-led SDF are being coordinated with and assisted by Turkey,” the Save the Kurds Act reads.

Thank you Senators for your long standing support and commitment to peace and stability in the region. https://t.co/yMMPnpOI1R

— Treefa Aziz (@treefa_aziz) January 29, 2026

“The SDF-controlled region of Syria has ISIS prisons guarded by the mainly Kurdish forces and is home to some 1,000 U.S. troops. The repeated attacks on the Kurds not only threatens the stability of the region, but also the safety of U.S. troops, and the U.S. relationship with the new Syrian government. It also risks the resurgence of [ISIS]. It is crucial to U.S. national security that its allies and partners are protected when threatened, and that ISIS is not allowed to regenerate.”

“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,” Senator Graham explained. “The SDF – with a large Kurdish element – took the brunt of the fight to defeat ISIS in President [Donald] Trump’s first term. I realize Syria is complicated culturally, ethnically, and politically. However, attacking the Kurds greatly diminishes the United States’ standing and will hinder Syria’s ability to grow as a country. To those countries or groups who believe it is open season on the Kurds in Syria without consequence, you will be sadly mistaken.”

“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,” Senator Blumenthal said.

In an online petition, 193,322 people so far have urged U.S. senators to support Senator Graham’s Save the Kurds Act. “It is a national and moral duty to show our support,” Peshmerga General Sirwan Barzani posted on X. “Stand with our people by signing the petition at the link.”