Two U.S. senators are preparing to introduce sanctions against Turkey unless its government forces Turkish-backed fighters to agree to a ceasefire with Kurdish groups in Syria. This move comes as tensions grow in northeast Syria, where Kurdish groups, supported by the U.S., are under attack. The region is still unstable after the recent collapse of the Syrian regime.
The senators said they are ready to act swiftly if Turkey does not immediately agree to peace terms, including a ceasefire and a demilitarized zone along the border. According to them, Turkey’s actions are putting regional security at risk and threatening efforts to stop the resurgence of ISIS, the extremist group that once controlled large parts of Syria.
Kurdish Forces Under Threat
The United States currently has about 900 troops in northeast Syria. These troops are working with a group called the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which has been a critical partner in defeating ISIS. The SDF is made up largely of Syrian Kurdish fighters. However, Turkey sees some of these Kurdish groups as terrorists because of their links to a group called the PKK, which Turkey has been fighting for decades.
Recently, the situation became more dangerous. A ceasefire that had been brokered by the U.S. ended, and Turkish-backed forces ramped up their attacks on Kurdish fighters. One key city, Manbij, saw heavy clashes after Kurdish forces retreated under a temporary ceasefire. Now, Turkey is refusing to extend that ceasefire, including offers for a peaceful buffer zone in places like Kobani, another important city near the border.
The senators warned that these developments could undo years of work to prevent ISIS from coming back. They say Turkey’s refusal to agree to peace is destabilizing the entire region and putting American efforts in Syria at risk.
Proposed Sanctions to Pressure Turkey
The senators are proposing tough sanctions to force Turkey into accepting a ceasefire. These sanctions would target top Turkish officials, including President Erdoğan, as well as major Turkish banks and companies connected to military and energy sectors. They would also stop all U.S. military assistance to Turkey. On top of that, they want to prevent Turkish leaders from visiting the U.S. and require an investigation into President Erdoğan’s personal wealth, amid concerns about corruption.
EU Demands Rights for All Before Lifting Sanctions on Syria
These proposed measures are similar to sanctions introduced in 2019, which helped bring about a temporary ceasefire at that time. The senators believe the same approach could work again now.
Another part of the proposed sanctions involves penalties against Turkey for buying a missile defense system from Russia, a move that has been a point of tension between Turkey and the U.S. for years. The U.S. Treasury has delayed enforcing these penalties in the past, but the senators are now pushing for them to be implemented as part of the new package.
A Divided U.S. Response
While these senators push for action, other voices in the U.S. government are taking a different approach. The president has stated that the U.S. “should have nothing to do” with Syria and has expressed support for Turkey’s role in the region. During a recent press conference, he avoided directly commenting on whether American troops would remain in Syria. However, he emphasized his good relationship with Turkey’s president, suggesting Ankara may have control over much of Syria following recent events.
The president described Turkey’s actions as an “unfriendly takeover” but downplayed the situation by saying there was little loss of life. This starkly contrasts with the warnings from the senators, who argue that Turkey’s actions are worsening an already fragile situation and jeopardizing U.S. interests in the fight against terrorism.
For now, the standoff continues, with sanctions looming as a potential way to pressure Turkey into a ceasefire. Whether this will lead to peace in the region remains uncertain.
