Senator Hassan Statement on President Trump Plan to Lift Turkey Sanctions

WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan issued the following statement after President Trump announced today his intentions to lift sanctions on Turkey following its attack on Kurds in Syria:

“After abandoning our Kurdish allies by withdrawing troops from Syria, it’s appalling that President Trump has announced his plans to lift what are already limited sanctions on Turkey—enacted after Turkey unilaterally launched a military offensive that killed scores of Kurdish soldiers and civilians. The Kurds fought alongside U.S. service members, helping us to make critical gains in the fight against ISIS. We know that because of President Trump’s misguided actions, hundreds of ISIS soldiers who were held in prison by the Kurds have already escaped, and Russia and Iran have taken control of critical territories in the region. Regardless of the President’s decision on Turkey sanctions, I will continue to work across the aisle in the Senate to enact strong sanctions on Turkey and protect our national security.”

Last week, Senator Hassan joined Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and additional Senators on both sides of the aisle to introduce a bipartisan bill to levy immediate, serious sanctions against Turkey following its invasion of Syria and its slaughter of the Kurdish people.

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