07.27.15

Durbin Statement on U.S.-Turkish Agreement to Establish Safe Zone in Syria

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) released the following statement after the United States and Turkey announced the outline of a plan to establish a safe zone along Syria’s border with Turkey. The plan will aid efforts by the U.S. and Turkey to drive ISIS forces out of the area, and create a de facto humanitarian safe zone to protect Syrians fleeing the horrific violence of the civil war.

   

“The brutal conflict in Syria is a humanitarian nightmare,” said Durbin. “More than 200,000 Syrians have been killed, many of them children, and more than 12 million Syrians are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. The announcement of a provisional safe zone along Syria’s border with Turkey is encouraging news—the United States must continue to work with our allies in the region to help the civilian victims whose lives and homes are being destroyed by this conflict.”

   

In April, Durbin and Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and John McCain (R-AZ) sent a letter to President Obama to draw attention to the crisis and urge the Administration to create and enforce humanitarian safe zones to protect civilian lives and supply lines for food, water, and medical supplies. Read the letter HERE.