U.S. senators threaten sanctions on Turkey to achieve ceasefire with SDF

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham indicated they are prepared to introduce new sanctions legislation this week if Turkey does not agree to terms for a lasting ceasefire and the establishment of a demilitarized zone, as reported by The Hill.

On Tuesday evening, Mazloum Abdi, Commander in Chief of the SDF, expressed willingness to create a demilitarized zone in the northern Syrian city of Kobani.

In a statement, Van Hollen and Graham emphasized that “While Turkey has some legitimate security concerns that can be addressed, these developments are undermining regional security, and the United States cannot sit idly by.”

They noted that since the fall of the al-Assad regime, Turkish-backed SNA factions have increased their attacks on the SDF, putting the mission to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS) at risk.

Van Hollen and Graham pointed out that Turkey had rejected a ceasefire extension and the creation of a demilitarized zone in Kobani. They also highlighted that the proposed sanctions are based on a 2019 legislative framework that helped secure a ceasefire between Turkey and the SDF at that time.

The sanctions would target high-ranking Turkish officials, including Erdogan, and affect major Turkish banks, military transactions, and energy sector activities supporting the Turkish military.

Under U.S. law, the Treasury Department must enforce deferred sanctions related to Turkey’s acquisition of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. In addition, U.S. military aid to Turkey would be cut, Erdoğan and other Turkish leaders would be barred from visiting the U.S., and reports would be required detailing Erdoğan’s net worth and assets due to concerns about corruption.