US Senator Warns of "Security Catastrophe" if Kurds Abandoned

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) issued a stark warning on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, regarding the safety of Kurdish forces in Northern Syria. Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating situation, Graham vowed to introduce new legislation that would impose severe sanctions on any government or group that targets the Kurdish people, whom he described as America's "indispensable ally" in the fight against ISIS.

A Call for Protection Graham’s warning comes amid reports of shifting alliances in the region. He specifically pointed to potential threats from the new Syrian government—led by Ahmed al-Sharaa—which he claims is increasingly aligned with Turkey. "The Kurds are threatened by the new Syrian government and its Turkish allies," Graham stated, adding that abandoning them would be a "catastrophe for America’s reputation and national security interests."

The Return of "Caesar" Sanctions The Senator revealed that he plans to introduce a bill this week aimed at imposing "harsh sanctions" on any entity hostile to the Kurds. He noted that he expects the bill to receive strong bipartisan support. Previously, Graham has hinted at re-imposing and strengthening the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act if Syrian military forces continue their northward advance toward strategic cities like Raqqa.

Damascus’s Response The rhetoric from Washington contrasts with recent statements from the new Syrian leadership. President Ahmed al-Sharaa reportedly held a telephone conversation with Masoud Barzani, the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), assuring him that the political and civil rights of Kurds within Syria would be fully protected.

Despite these assurances, Graham remains skeptical, emphasizing that the U.S. must maintain its leverage to prevent any ethnic cleansing or military displacement of Kurdish populations. "The Kurds were our key partner in dismantling the ISIS caliphate," Graham reminded his colleagues, "and we cannot allow them to be sacrificed to regional power plays."