ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Several US lawmakers from both parties on Thursday voiced concern over reports of attacks on Kurdish forces and civilians in northern Syria, stressing the need to protect Kurds and other minorities as Syria navigates a fragile post-Assad transition.
Their remarks to Rudaw’s Diyar Kurda come amid escalating tensions in the Kurdish-majority neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsood and Ashrafiyeh in northern Aleppo, where the Syrian Arab Army and affiliated factions have clashed with the Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish), linked to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Local officials say at least 20 people have been killed and 75 wounded over the past four days.
Democratic Congressman Brad Schneider called for backing the Kurds, highlighting their alliance with Washington.
“We need to work with the Kurdish community in Syria, they've been our allies, and make sure that they're protected,” he said.
Democratic Congressman Don Beyer also condemned the violence and framed Kurdish protection as a matter of American values.
“I'm very much against those attacks in Syria,” Beyer said, adding, “we should be treating all groups of our society equally and with protection.”
“I've been hoping that the new Syrian government would bring much more peace to the people. And I'm hoping that they will react strongly against these attacks,” he added.
Asked what the US administration should do to safeguard Kurdish rights, Beyer pointed to direct diplomatic engagement.
“The strongest tool that we have… is conversations with the leaders,” he said, stressing the need to promote “real human values in terms of how you treat your own people.”
Republican Congressman Michael Baumgartner emphasized inclusive governance and explicitly named Kurds among the communities that must be protected in Syria.
“There needs to be a place in Syria for everyone,” he said. “It doesn't matter whether you're Muslim, Druze, Christian, Shia, Sunni, Kurd, everything.”
Republican Congressman Randy Fine called for standing with Syria’s minorities, including Kurds. “The government of Syria has to protect everyone, and that's not just Muslims, it is Kurds, it is Christians, it's everyone that's in that community,” he said.
Republican Michael Lawler called on the authorities in Syria "to really ensure stability throughout the country, and not to engage in hostilities or allow others to engage in hostilities."
Other lawmakers echoed broader concerns about violence against minorities. Republican Eric Burlison said, “people's rights need to be protected."
US welcomes ceasefire
Syria’s defense ministry announced a ceasefire early Friday in the embattled northern Aleppo neighbourhoods amid heightened military tensions, calling on the Kurdish forces - which it labels them as "armed groups" - to withdraw by a set deadline.
The United States immediately welcomed the temporary truce, according to US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack.
Barrack said Washington “warmly” welcomed “the temporary ceasefire achieved last night,” praising the efforts that led to the pause in fighting.
He added that the United States “extends profound gratitude to all parties - the Syrian government, the Syrian Democratic Forces, local authorities, and community leaders - for the restraint and goodwill that made this vital pause possible.”
“With sustained cooperation and by the grace of the One God whom all our communities revere in their own light, we are hopeful this weekend will bring a more enduring calm and deeper dialogue,” Barrack said.
The US special envoy noted that efforts were ongoing to extend the ceasefire beyond its scheduled expiration at 9 am, saying Washington was “working intensively to extend this ceasefire and spirit of understanding.”
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