U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R–South Carolina) and Richard Blumenthal (D–Connecticut) announced the introduction of the Save the Kurds Act, responding to repeated attacks by Syrian government forces against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
According to the senators, the legislation would impose sanctions on Syrian government officials and Syrian financial institutions, as well as foreign individuals who engage in any transactions with the Syrian government, including the provision of military or financial support.
Today, @SenBlumenthal and I introduced the Save the Kurds Act.
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. The SDF – with a large Kurdish element –…
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) January 29, 2026
The statement emphasized that the SDF played a critical role in U.S.-led efforts to destroy the ISIS caliphate, contributing significantly to the success of those operations. Following the defeat of ISIS, the SDF assumed control over northeastern Syria.
The senators noted that after the removal of the Assad government, Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, launched a campaign against the Kurdish-led SDF under the guise of uniting the country after years of civil war. However, the statement cited evidence indicating that these attacks are being coordinated with and assisted by Turkey.
The SDF-controlled regions contain ISIS detention facilities guarded primarily by Kurdish forces and are home to approximately 1,000 U.S. troops. The senators warned that continued attacks against the Kurds threaten regional stability, endanger U.S. forces, undermine U.S. relations with Syria’s new government, and increase the risk of an ISIS resurgence.
The statement stressed that protecting U.S. allies and partners when threatened is crucial to U.S. national security, and that ISIS must not be 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,” Graham said. “The SDF—with a large Kurdish element—took the brunt of the fight to defeat ISIS during President Trump’s first term. 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.”
Blumenthal added:
“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.”
Key Provisions of the Save the Kurds Act
The legislation includes the following measures:
Imposes sanctions on Syrian government officials and financial institutions, and any foreign individual who engages in any transaction, including military or financial support, with the Syrian government.
Recognizes the Kurdish-led SDF for their contributions in working with the U.S. to eliminate ISIS
Redesignates Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO)
Requires congressional review for the removal of Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism
Gives the president the authority to suspend sanctions upon certifying to Congress that the Syrian government has ceased all attacks on the Kurdish-led SDF and their partners
Contains a snapback measure, requiring the president to immediately reimpose all sanctions if the Syrian government restarts all attacks on the Kurdish-led SDF or their partners
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