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American Senators Threaten Erdogan with Sanctions.. For Escalation Against Kurds in Syria
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Congress's rapid movement reveals deep concerns about Turkey exploiting Assad regime's fall to settle scores with Kurds
The U.S. Congress escalated its tone toward Turkey, with two prominent senators threatening to impose unprecedented sanctions on Ankara and its sovereign institutions unless it stops military operations against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria.
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen and his Republican colleague Lindsey Graham announced their intention to introduce a comprehensive sanctions bill this week, personally targeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and senior government officials.
The senators emphasized in a joint statement that "while Turkey has legitimate security concerns that can be addressed, its current moves undermine regional security, and the United States cannot stand idly by."
The senators criticized Turkey's refusal to extend the ceasefire in Manbij and its rejection of the proposal to establish a demilitarized zone along the border, especially in the strategic city of Kobani.
The proposed sanctions bill includes strict measures including sanctions on senior Turkish officials, major banks, military transactions, and energy sector activities supporting Turkish armed forces.
The bill also requires the U.S. Treasury to activate delayed sanctions related to Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system, in addition to banning U.S. military aid to Ankara.
The proposed legislation goes as far as banning Erdogan and Turkish leadership from visiting the United States, while requiring U.S. authorities to prepare detailed reports on the Turkish president's wealth and assets amid corruption concerns.
These threats come as the United States maintains about 900 troops in northeastern Syria to support Syrian Democratic Forces in their mission to prevent ISIS's return.
The new sanctions bill is based on similar legislation introduced in 2019, which then succeeded in forcing Turkey and its allied forces to stop military operations against Kurdish forces.
Analysts view Turkey's current escalation as exploitation of the political vacuum resulting from Assad regime's fall, in an attempt to strengthen Ankara's influence in the region and settle scores with its Kurdish adversaries.
Levant-Agencies
