WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today made this statement following a phone call with General Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces.

“I just spoke with General Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces in Syria.  He appreciates the efforts of the Trump Administration to stop the violence.

“General Mazloum is concerned about the cease-fire holding and was emphatic that he will never agree to the ethnic cleansing of Kurds that is being proposed in Ankara.

“A buffer zone is acceptable to the Kurds but a military occupation that displaces hundreds of thousands is not a safe zone.  It is ethnic cleansing.

“I hope we can find a win-win situation, but I share General Mazloum’s concerns.  I also told him that Congress will stay very involved and is extremely sympathetic to the plight of the Kurds.”

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