Blackburn, Colleagues Meet with Syrian Defense Council President Ilham Ahmed

Press Release

Yesterday, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) met with Ilham Ahmed, President of the Syrian Democratic Council to discuss the ongoing conflict in Syria.

"Ilham Ahmed has shown resilient leadership and courage for the Kurdish people," Senator Blackburn said following the meeting. "You and the Kurdish people have been so steadfast in this fight. It is so important that we realize that and we honor that. As you have heard her say, securing the air space, having that no-fly zone, securing these camps where these ISIS fighters are being held, making certain that Turkey is out of this safe zone so that the Kurdish and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are going to be safe in this area, all of this is vitally important. They have depended on us for that because we have assured them we would be there. It is important for us to make certain that we continue to support our Kurdish partners. We appreciate you being here to meet with us." Remarks have been condensed for brevity.