US senator to Syria: Push toward Raqqa and face 'bone-breaking' sanctions

A leading United States senator has delivered a blunt public threat to the Syrian government, warning that further military advances in the country's north will trigger severe new American sanctions and permanently damage diplomatic relations. Senator Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican known for his close ties to President Donald Trump, stated he would pressure Congress to enact what he termed "bone-breaking sanctions" if Syrian forces move towards Raqqa, a strategic city controlled by the U.S.-allied Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

An Ultimatum Over Strategic Territory

Senator Graham expressed deep frustration with the ongoing Syrian military operations targeting the SDF, which he views as a vital American partner in the fight against Daesh. "It appears no one in Syria is listening to me or other U.S. government officials," he stated, directing his remarks at President Ahmad al-Sharaa's government. He framed the potential capture of Raqqa as a critical red line. "If this continues, not only will bone-breaking sanctions be imposed, but relations between the U.S. and the new Syrian government will be permanently harmed," he declared.

A Challenge and a Final Warning

Denying that his statements were a bluff, Graham challenged the Syrian leadership directly. "If you think we are bluffing, go ahead. If you want a confrontation with the U.S. Senate and to inflict permanent harm on U.S.-Syria relations, go ahead," he said. He concluded with a final warning, urging Damascus to de-escalate: "Stop and turn back. I hope you make a wise choice." He argued that the only way to salvage bilateral ties was for the Syrian army to halt its offensive immediately.

The SDF and the 'Caesar Act' as Context

The senator's threat hinges on the reactivation and strengthening of the "Caesar Act," a comprehensive U.S. sanctions law targeting the Syrian government. The SDF, which controls Raqqa and large parts of northeastern Syria, is a Kurdish-led militia that Türkiye identifies as the Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist organization. While the U.S. views the SDF as a key counter-Daesh ally, Türkiye considers it a primary national security threat. This creates a fundamental divergence in U.S. and Turkish policy in northern Syria, where Ankara's priority is neutralizing the PKK/YPG threat, not preserving its control.

Türkiye's Perspective on U.S. Threats

From Türkiye's standpoint, Senator Graham's defense of the SDF is an affront to Turkish national security and a continuation of flawed U.S. policy. Ankara has long argued that American support for the YPG/PKK-SDF undermines regional stability, empowers a terrorist group, and directly threatens Türkiye's territorial integrity. Graham's threat to punish Syria for acting against this group is seen in Türkiye as U.S. prioritization of a terrorist militia over the sovereignty of a neighboring state and the legitimate security concerns of a NATO ally. Türkiye would likely view any Syrian military action that weakens the SDF as a positive step for its own border security and for the restoration of Syrian state sovereignty.