U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs to Kurdistan24: Religious Persecution in Syria Is 'Outrageous', Urges Diplomatic Pressure for Stability

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs, representing Arizona's 5th District, has denounced the ongoing persecution of religious and ethnic minorities in Syria, calling it “outrageous” and urging the U.S. administration to apply diplomatic pressure to halt these violations and promote stabilization in the country.

Outcry Over Targeting of Druze and Minorities

Speaking to Kurdistan24 in an exclusive interview, Congressman Biggs addressed the use of violence against the Druze and other minority groups in Syria, stating: “Like so many places where we see minority religious populations being aggrieved, persecuted, tortured because of that, it's outrageous.”

Biggs noted that the U.S. government has issued calls for these actions to stop, stressing, “They really need to stop.”

Sanctions and the Path to Normalization

When asked whether lifting sanctions on the Syrian government could empower it to commit further abuses, Biggs responded by highlighting former President Donald Trump’s aim to normalize Syria diplomatically.

“What President Trump's trying to do is he's trying to normalize Syria and get it into the normal family of nations around the world,” Biggs said. “But at the same time, I know he's very upset… I'm upset about what's happening to the religious minority there.”

Biggs emphasized that diplomacy must involve both incentives and pressure: “At least a carrot and a stick to be telling them no.”

Federalism vs. Centralization: A Delicate Balance

Regarding the future structure of governance in Syria, Biggs expressed his belief in the merits of federalism, stating: “I'm a big believer that federalism always works. The diffusing of power away from the center is always going to work.”

However, he cautioned that poorly executed decentralization in fragile states can lead to further instability. “When you go to federalism, sometimes you see factionalism develop. And then when power irrigates to the center, you also sometimes see authoritarianism come forward.”

Despite the complexities, Biggs remained cautiously optimistic: “I hope what you're seeing now was the last vestiges of factionalism and sectionalism. I hope there's a normalization and a recognition of all human rights.”

Hope for a Stable Syria

Concluding the interview, Congressman Biggs underscored the importance of consistent U.S. diplomatic engagement to support Syria’s transition. “Our government needs to at least be using strong diplomacy to try to encourage them to stabilize,” he said, adding, “That’s what President Trump wants. That’s what we all want — a stabilized Syria.”

Biggs voiced cautious hope that meaningful change could emerge: “Trusting but verifying.”