1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I’m writing to express my deep concern about the future of Syria. While the fall of Assad is a welcome development, Kurds and other minorities are in danger as Turkey and its jihadist proxy militias create a humanitarian crisis by attacking the US-allied Syrian Democratic Forces and the diverse communities under their protection. Thousands have already been forcibly displaced from Shehba and Manbij, where Turkey’s mercenaries are openly committing other war crimes including attacks on civilians, executions, abuse of women, and ethnic cleansing. Turkey’s actions threaten to bring a resurgence of ISIS, while jeopardizing the survival of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria, which represents the country’s best hope for a free, peaceful and d emocratic future. If you act now, the United States can play a critical role in alleviating this crisis. As a longtime ally of the SDF, and broker of the 2019 ceasefire, the US has a responsibility to hold Turkey accountable and ensure the protection of northern Syria’s diverse communities. I urge you and other members of congress to take swift action by publicly advocating for the following policies: Emergency legislation denouncing Turkish aggression, committing to long-term US support for the SDF, and endorsing the Syrian Democratic Council’s proposal for democratizing Syria; An immediate halt to all US military aid to Turkey, and economic sanctions in response to any further aggression; Formal political recognition of the DAANES as a legitimate regional government; The withdrawal of Turkish forces from Syria and peace negotiations with the Kurdish movement as a condition for continued diplomatic and economic relations with the United States. Act now! Don’t let the US abandon the Kurds again!