SDF praises US lawmakers support at Munich security conference
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said it held talks with a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers on the sidelines of the Munich security conference, hailing their role in backing Kurdish rights and regional stability.
In a statement, the SDF said it was “proud to meet with a delegation of US Congress members led by Senator Lindsey Graham, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Jacky Rosen, Senator Peter Welch, and Senator Andy Kim,” adding that the meeting took place during the conference in Munich.
The SDF credited the lawmakers - particularly under Graham’s leadership - as “among the most prominent advocates for the rights of our people and our forces,” noting that they “have maintained constant communication with us, listening to our needs and responding to the latest developments on the ground.”
The SDF highlighted what it described as tangible backing through initiatives and legislation, including “the proposed Save the Kurds Act,” which it called “a significant step.”
“We are grateful to all of them for their steadfast positions in support of regional stability and for providing effective assistance to Syria and its people during this critical stage,” the statement added.
The remarks come amid a shifting security and political landscape in northeast Syria (Rojava).
In mid-January, Syrian government forces and allied armed groups moved into several cities previously under SDF control, sparking weeks of clashes.
On January 29, the SDF and Damascus announced an internationally brokered agreement to end hostilities and begin the gradual integration of civil and military institutions of the Kurdish-run Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) into state structures.
SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi told Rudaw on Friday the United States has committed to supporting implementation of the deal, adding that the group is awaiting US President Donald Trump to fulfill his “promise” by establishing a guarantee mechanism to ensure the agreement is monitored.
Abdi’s comments followed meetings in Munich that included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and Ilham Ahmed, the co-chair of foreign relations for DAANES. Abdi said discussions focused on counterterrorism, the future of Rojava, and guarantees for implementing the January agreement.
“They [US delegation] said they are committed to implementing this agreement. We requested guarantees from them,” Abdi said. “They said there should be a guarantee mechanism to ensure the agreement is implemented and monitored.”
He also credited the Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani for facilitating his participation, calling the engagement “the beginning of a new phase for Western Kurdistan.”
Abdi described the Munich meetings as “very important,” saying talks centered on “how to constitutionally guarantee Kurdish rights and preserve Kurdish identity,” while integrating the SDF into Syrian state structures as regional brigades.