ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Erbil Governor Omed Xoshnaw told Rudaw on Tuesday that a statue will be made for US Senator Lindsey Graham in Erbil, recognizing his support for the Kurdish people.
Xoshnaw did not provide details on the statue’s design, exact location, or timeline for completion.
Graham has been one of the most prominent American lawmakers advocating for the protection of Kurdish forces, especially in northeast Syria (Rojava). He recently warned that abandoning the Kurds after their key role in defeating the Islamic State (ISIS) would be a “disgrace” for the United States, emphasizing that Kurdish fighters carried much of the burden in dismantling the extremist group.
“I think there’s a lot of bipartisan support to make sure the Kurds who helped us defeat ISIS are not slaughtered,” Graham recently told Rudaw in Washington.
The Republican senator, along with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, also introduced the “Save the Kurds Act,” legislation aimed at imposing sanctions on Syrian government officials and others who support attacks on Kurdish-led forces. The bill recognizes the role of Kurdish fighters in defeating ISIS and seeks to deter further military action against them.
Graham has repeatedly stressed that Kurdish forces were instrumental in the war against ISIS and warned that abandoning them would damage Washington’s credibility and moral standing. He has also cautioned regional actors against military escalation targeting Kurdish areas.
The planned statue in Erbil would be a rare honor for a foreign political figure in the Kurdistan Region and highlights the strong ties between Kurdish leaders and US officials who have supported Kurdish forces politically and militarily in recent years.