The US House of Representatives passed a resolution expressing support for those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria and condemning the efforts of the Assad regime in Syria to prevent United Nations (UN) aid from reaching those affected by the earthquakes.
In the House of Representatives, the lower house of the US Congress, a resolution expressing condolences to Turkey and Syria affected by the earthquakes on February 6, appreciating the US support for the people of Turkey and Syria, and condemning the actions of the Assad regime to prevent UN aid from reaching those in the north of the country was put to a vote.
The resolution was adopted with 414 “yes” votes against 2 “no” votes.
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Message of support for NATO ally Turkey
In his speech before the vote, South Carolina Republican politician Joe Wilson pointed out that many people in Turkey and Syria lost their lives and became homeless due to the earthquakes. Expressing his condolences to the people of Turkey and Syria, Wilson stated that NATO member Turkey should always be supported and referred to Turkey’s contribution in the Korean War.
Wilson, who said that he co-chairs the US-Turkey Congressional Caucus, pointed out that Turkey has been a member of NATO for more than 70 years and that the US is particularly supportive of efforts to meet the needs of those affected by the earthquake in Turkey.
Wilson, on the other hand, noted that the Assad regime in Syria has prevented the UN from delivering aid to those affected by the earthquake in Syria, and that Russia has vetoed the delivery of aid across the border in the UN Security Council. Wilson called on US President Joe Biden to use all diplomatic means necessary to deliver humanitarian aid to Syria and criticized the Biden administration for “weakening” the sanctions against the Assad regime.
Democratic Party MP Bill Keating also pointed to the magnitude of the earthquakes and said that with the resolution in question, they sent a strong message of solidarity from the US to the peoples of Turkey and Syria. Keating underlined that they will continue to support the people of Turkey and Syria.
“This resolution is a symbol of our commitment to continue to provide assistance to those who have been so severely affected by this tragedy,” said Congresswoman Madeleine Dean, noting that the rebuilding process after this disaster will not be easy.
The bill includes
The resolution states that the House of Representatives mourns the terrible loss of life caused by the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, and expresses condolences to the families of the victims. It also recognized the support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the White Helmets in Syria, and personnel at Incirlik Air Base, as well as the U.S. government, other countries, and non-governmental organizations that provided humanitarian assistance and search and rescue in the aftermath of the earthquakes.
The resolution also recognized those who selflessly volunteered in Turkey and Syria to help in the aftermath of the earthquake and called on the international community to help those affected by the earthquakes. The resolution also expressed satisfaction with Turkey’s continued support to Syrians both inside the country and in northwestern Syria.
“(The House of Representatives) condemns the Assad regime’s shameless efforts to exploit the disaster to evade international pressure and responsibility, including by blocking the United Nations (UN) from delivering aid through the many border crossings between Turkey and Syria.”
Calling on the Biden administration to use all diplomatic means to open the Turkish-Syrian border crossings for the delivery of aid, the resolution emphasized the need for international assistance to deliver aid to northwestern Syria. The resolution also called for the establishment of an oversight mechanism to ensure that US-funded aid is not used to benefit the Assad regime and to continue protecting the Syrian people under the Caesar Act of 2019.
