The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced it held talks with a bipartisan delegation of US lawmakers on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, praising their continued backing for Kurdish rights and regional stability.

In a statement released during the conference in Munich, the SDF said it was “proud to meet with a delegation of US Congress members led by Lindsey Graham, including Sheldon Whitehouse, Jacky Rosen, Peter Welch, and Andy Kim.”

The SDF credited the lawmakers — particularly under Graham’s leadership — as “among the most prominent advocates for the rights of our people and our forces,” noting that they have maintained close communication and responded to developments on the ground in northeast Syria.

The group highlighted what it described as tangible US backing through legislative initiatives, including the proposed “Save the Kurds Act,” calling it “a significant step” toward strengthening protections for Kurdish communities.

“We are grateful to all of them for their steadfast positions in support of regional stability and for providing effective assistance to Syria and its people during this critical stage,” the statement added.

Shifting Landscape in Northeast Syria
The remarks come amid major political and security changes in northeast Syria, also known as Rojava.

In mid-January, Syrian government forces and allied armed groups moved into several cities previously under SDF control, triggering weeks of clashes. On January 29, the SDF and authorities in Damascus announced an internationally brokered agreement to end hostilities and begin gradually integrating civil and military institutions of the Kurdish-run Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) into Syrian state structures.

SDF commander-in-chief Mazloum Abdi told Rudaw on Friday that the United States has committed to supporting implementation of the deal. He added that the group is awaiting US President Donald Trump to fulfill what he described as a promise to establish a guarantee mechanism to monitor the agreement’s enforcement.

Abdi said discussions in Munich included US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, and Ilham Ahmed, co-chair of foreign relations for DAANES. Talks focused on counterterrorism efforts, the future of Rojava, and ensuring guarantees for the January accord.

“They said they are committed to implementing this agreement. We requested guarantees from them,” Abdi said. “They said there should be a guarantee mechanism to ensure the agreement is implemented and monitored.”

Abdi also credited Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region, for facilitating his participation at the conference, describing the diplomatic engagement as “the beginning of a new phase for Western Kurdistan.”

He characterized the Munich meetings as “very important,” with discussions centered on constitutionally safeguarding Kurdish rights and identity, while integrating the SDF into Syrian state structures as regional brigades.