Congressmen who spoke to Rudaw on January 14, 2026. Photos: Rudaw
WASHINGTON DC - Senior US House Foreign Affairs Committee members on Wednesday expressed concern over recent attacks on US-backed Kurdish forces in Aleppo, warning they are closely monitoring minority rights and may impose consequences on the Syrian government if abuses continue.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, a Republican, told Rudaw Washington is focused on ensuring that all Syrian communities, including Kurds and other minorities, have a better future than under former President Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship.
“I’ve had the opportunity to speak to General Mazloum and others,” Mast said, referring to Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi.
“Something that the United States of America is paying attention to - whether it’s the Kurds, whether it’s the Alawites, whether it’s the Druze, whether it’s anybody else [in Syria] - is that we want to see a Syria that presents an opportunity unlike what existed under Bashar al-Assad,” he said.
“We want to see an opportunity for all of the people there, and that’s something that we’re working towards,” Mast added.
The comments come amid heightened tensions in northern Syria, where Kurdish-led forces have accused the Syrian military and Damascus-allied armed groups of rights violations. The attacks have raised concerns in Washington about stability and minority rights under the new Sunni Arab-led interim government.
Backed by armed groups affiliated with Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army this week expanded its attack on the SDF in northern Syria following a military operation to expel Kurdish forces in Aleppo. Around 150,000 residents fled the fighting Kurdish-majority neighborhoods, raising fears of ethnic cleansing and threats against Yazidi minorities.
Rudaw asked lawmakers about Washington’s decision last month to lift sanctions on Syria, which was intended to help the interim government rebuild and improve its human rights record despite reports of continued violations.
Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the committee, told Rudaw Washington is monitoring developments closely “to make sure they respect the rights of all Syrians, minorities and others.”
He said the Syrian government needs “to get the message, and we’ll be reaching out to others … about what they have to monitor. Otherwise, there will be ramifications.”
Asked about attacks by the Syrian Arab Army on Kurdish forces that fought alongside the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), Meeks said inclusivity is essential for Syria’s future.
“All of the individuals in Syria, the minority groups, the Kurds, they all should be part of one,” he said. “That is what we’re watching. That is what we’re monitoring. And we’re making that strong message, because just as easily as you take something away, you can bring it back.”
Meeks said Washington hopes Syria is moving in a “new and different direction” after decades of authoritarian rule, adding that US policy will reflect developments on the ground.
Republican congressman Tim Burchett also issued a blunt warning to Damascus, saying Syria’s leadership must change course.
“Syria needs to wake up,” Burchett told Rudaw. US President Donald Trump “is not fooling around. This oppression that [Syrian leaders] do to their people and abuse is just wrong. They’ve had a history of this with these thugs.”
Burchett emphasized that while US military power is significant, economic pressure remains a key tool.
“I believe the President [Trump] understands that the most powerful thing we have is our military, but the second most powerful thing we have is our economic strength,” he said. “I think Syria’s leadership better wake up.”
Responding to a question about attacks on Kurdish forces that fought ISIS, Burchett said, “The enemy of our enemy is our friend, and they’ve been fighting our friends. So, I think they need to shape up.”
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast, a Republican, told Rudaw Washington is focused on ensuring that all Syrian communities, including Kurds and other minorities, have a better future than under former President Bashar al-Assad’s dictatorship.
“I’ve had the opportunity to speak to General Mazloum and others,” Mast said, referring to Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi.
“Something that the United States of America is paying attention to - whether it’s the Kurds, whether it’s the Alawites, whether it’s the Druze, whether it’s anybody else [in Syria] - is that we want to see a Syria that presents an opportunity unlike what existed under Bashar al-Assad,” he said.
“We want to see an opportunity for all of the people there, and that’s something that we’re working towards,” Mast added.
The comments come amid heightened tensions in northern Syria, where Kurdish-led forces have accused the Syrian military and Damascus-allied armed groups of rights violations. The attacks have raised concerns in Washington about stability and minority rights under the new Sunni Arab-led interim government.
Backed by armed groups affiliated with Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army this week expanded its attack on the SDF in northern Syria following a military operation to expel Kurdish forces in Aleppo. Around 150,000 residents fled the fighting Kurdish-majority neighborhoods, raising fears of ethnic cleansing and threats against Yazidi minorities.
Rudaw asked lawmakers about Washington’s decision last month to lift sanctions on Syria, which was intended to help the interim government rebuild and improve its human rights record despite reports of continued violations.
Gregory W. Meeks, the top Democrat on the committee, told Rudaw Washington is monitoring developments closely “to make sure they respect the rights of all Syrians, minorities and others.”
He said the Syrian government needs “to get the message, and we’ll be reaching out to others … about what they have to monitor. Otherwise, there will be ramifications.”
Asked about attacks by the Syrian Arab Army on Kurdish forces that fought alongside the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), Meeks said inclusivity is essential for Syria’s future.
“All of the individuals in Syria, the minority groups, the Kurds, they all should be part of one,” he said. “That is what we’re watching. That is what we’re monitoring. And we’re making that strong message, because just as easily as you take something away, you can bring it back.”
Meeks said Washington hopes Syria is moving in a “new and different direction” after decades of authoritarian rule, adding that US policy will reflect developments on the ground.
Republican congressman Tim Burchett also issued a blunt warning to Damascus, saying Syria’s leadership must change course.
“Syria needs to wake up,” Burchett told Rudaw. US President Donald Trump “is not fooling around. This oppression that [Syrian leaders] do to their people and abuse is just wrong. They’ve had a history of this with these thugs.”
Burchett emphasized that while US military power is significant, economic pressure remains a key tool.
“I believe the President [Trump] understands that the most powerful thing we have is our military, but the second most powerful thing we have is our economic strength,” he said. “I think Syria’s leadership better wake up.”
Responding to a question about attacks on Kurdish forces that fought ISIS, Burchett said, “The enemy of our enemy is our friend, and they’ve been fighting our friends. So, I think they need to shape up.”
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