November 20, 2019
Panel Discussion: Repairing the Damage: The future of U.S. relations with Syrian Kurdish partners and the fight against ISIS
Dr. Najmaldin Karim Remarks
To distinguish senators who are joining us today and who have been a great supporter of our people in Kurdistan and specialty at difficult times when Turkish forces invaded Syrian Kurdistan and now occupying a great part of it. They have started ethnic cleansing, including all the constituents in those regions, Arabs, Kurds, Turkmans, Assyrians, and Yazidis. And they don’t really distinguish between any of them as long as they are original inhabitants of those places, they have to leave. Chris, thank you so much for everything you have done for our people, you and Senator Blackburn. Thank you [Senator Marsha Blackburn] Very much.Your constituents who are Kurds in Tennessee, they speak highly of you and what you have done.Your principles always transcends what’s going on in politics in this country. And that’s really very important for us.It’s very important for the United States of America.
Today, after what was called a ceasefire and Turkey crossing the border of Syria, we have hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced and homeless. Their homes have been occupied by jihadists who are supported by the government of Turkey and you have probably heard in jue the last few days a significant attack by these jihadist groups with help of the Turkish military on the area around Tal Tamar, where many Christian villages have been forced to leave their place. And now they are refugees in camps or along the relatives. Some of those have come into Iraqi Kurdistan. We have a panel, after the remarks by our two distinguished senators. Of course Senator van Hollen is my Senator. I’m from the state of Maryland, but Senator Blackburn, you are also my Senator because of what you do for our people. And we’re honored to have both of you here.