Van Hollen Pushes NDAA Amendment to Restrict Transfer of F-16s to Turkey

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has filed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act to restrict the transfer of F-16s to Turkey. The Senator’s amendment would put in place a series of restrictions prior to allowing the transfer, including relating to Turkey’s efforts to undermine the Syrian Democratic Forces and requiring Turkey’s ratification of Sweden and Finland’s NATO accession.

“Turkey’s actions under the Erdogan regime have called into question its faithfulness as a NATO ally. That’s why supplying Turkey with additional F-16s or upgrades must come with conditions, including assurances that they will not use upgraded F-16s to violate the airspace of other NATO members or to attack our Syrian-Kurdish allies who are essential in the fight against ISIS. And Turkey should stop dragging its feet on ratifying the admission of Finland and Sweden into NATO,” said Senator Van Hollen.  

The Senator has also introduced an amendment to acknowledge the vital role that the Syrian Democratic Forces have played in the fight against ISIS, underscore the destabilizing effects of Turkish military operations against the SDF, and require a report on the Biden Administration’s strategy to support the SDF, prevent a resurgence of ISIS, and protect the gains made since 2014.  

The text of the Senator’s amendment regarding F-16 transfers can be found here.

The text of the Senator’s amendment regarding the Syrian Kurdish forces can be found here.