The Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria affirmed its partnership with the United States on Thursday, expressing gratitude for American political support following a violent military operation by Syrian government forces in Aleppo that killed dozens and displaced thousands.

In a statement on social media platform X, Elham Ahmed, a senior official from the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), thanked Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch and Senator Lindsey Graham for their "critical support."

"Your clear messages give us hope that our partnership and sacrifices will not be forgotten," said Ahmed, who co-chairs the administration's foreign relations committee. The remarks come amid heightened tensions following a week-long Syrian Arab Army operation to expel Kurdish Internal Security Forces (Asayish) from Kurdish-majority neighborhoods in Aleppo.

Ahmed accused the Syrian interim government of demanding the dismantling of Kurdish defense structures while "simultaneously launching brutal and cruel attacks against Kurdish people in Aleppo." She affirmed a commitment to dialogue but stated that Syria’s transition "cannot come at the expense of Kurdish people and other minorities who fought alongside the United States of America against ISIS."

The official's comments were a direct response to a statement from Senator Risch on Tuesday, in which he condemned the "egregious acts" of Damascus-affiliated militants. Risch referenced the desecration of a Kurdish female fighter who was executed, thrown from a building, and subjected to insults during the Aleppo operation, which reportedly resulted in approximately 100 deaths and displaced 150,000 people.

"I am gravely concerned about the conduct of armed forces in Aleppo," Risch stated, urging the Syrian interim government to "hold accountable those who committed these egregious acts."

Senator Graham endorsed Risch's call on Wednesday, sharing the statement and adding a warning. "I'm receiving what I believe to be credible reports that Syrian army forces and Turkey may be advancing further against our Kurdish allies - a move that I believe would prompt a strong response from the United States," Graham said.

The ceasefire declared in Aleppo's Kurdish areas on Sunday has been followed by a new development: the Syrian army's Operations Command designated the eastern Aleppo towns of Deir Hafer and Maskanah as "closed military zones" on Tuesday. These areas are controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Kurdish-led military affiliate of the Asayish and the main U.S. partner in the fight against ISIS.

Analysts note that control of these eastern Aleppo areas is strategically significant for Damascus, as it would open a logistical corridor connecting Aleppo to Raqqa province and increase pressure on SDF positions along the Euphrates River.

The SDF, which serves as the de facto military force in the Kurdish-administered region of northeast Syria (Rojava), played a central role in the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019 with U.S.-led coalition support.

Concluding his warning, Senator Graham stated, "While I support giving this new Syrian government a chance, I will not tolerate or accept a brazen attack against our Kurdish allies. To the Syrian government and Turkey: choose wisely."