American Friends of Kurdistan statement on H.Res. 1195 introduced by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
American Friends of Kurdistan applauds Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s H. Res. 1195 on Condemning Turkey’s attacks on United States forces and allies and Turkey’s continued support for terrorist organizations.
It is long overdue for the United States to stand up to Turkey’s belligerent actions in the region. H. Res. 1195 highlights Turkey’s violations under Erdogan’s nearly two-decade authoritarian rule.
In Turkey, Erdogan continues to target the 20 million-plus Kurdish population. The Kurds lack basic civil rights, their areas are economically underdeveloped, and they are being forced to leave their homes. The Turkish regime labels Kurds who demand their basic rights as “terrorists” and “separatists.” The Turkish regime jails elected Kurdish parliament members including co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Democratic Party (HDP) Selahattin Demirtas, who has been illegally imprisoned for four years on trumped-up charges. Moreover, Turkey’s lack of will to address the country's unsolved Kurdish Question peacefully further ignites conflict between Kurds and Turks.
Last year Turkey again targeted the Kurds by invading northeast Syria. Erdogan vowed he would eliminate the “terrorists” along the Turkish border. American allies, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are not terrorists and are the backbone of the fight against Daesh. Today the SDF controls the most peaceful regions in Syria. The SDF and American forces stand shoulder to shoulder in preserving the interests of the Syrian people. Erdogan’s goal is to damage this alliance.
The United States must finally view Turkey for what it is and not what it used to be. Turkey is no longer a reliable ally. Turkey has shifted its policy towards the east while harming US national security. Erdogan has traded his alliance with the US with that of al Qaeda, Daesh and other terrorist organizations. American Friends of Kurdistan fully supports sanctions on the Turkish regime, and the removal of Turkey from NATO. Erdogan can no longer hide behind the curtains of the NATO alliance.
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