During Executive President Ahmad’s visit to Washington DC in September 2021, she met with a wide variety of US officials. Executive President Ahmad’s delegation included Ghassan Al-Yosif of Deir ez-Zor, Nazira Gawria of Jazira, and the Representation Office of the SDC in the United States.

Elham Ahmad, Executive President of the Syrian Democratic Council, addresses members of the press at a news conference in Washington DC. Executive President Ahmad thanked the US administration and Congress for their commitment to the security and stability of North and East Syria, a region of Syria outside the control of the Assad government. 
Members of the delegation met with senior US officials to advocate for keeping US troops in North and East Syria at their current levels.
Many issues were discussed with US officials, such as the protections for religious freedom and diversity that are written into the constitution of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. The delegation met with Nadine Maenza, Chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Representative Don Bacon was among the many members of Congress that the delegation met with to discuss US economic support, reconstruction, and redevelopment funding for the region.
Meetings with Congress, such as Representative Jason Crow, provided an opportunity to brief Congress on the ongoing battle to defeat ISIS as well as efforts to stabilize North and East Syria, open borders and secure humanitarian aid, and provide oppressive for the young people of Syria.
Meeting with Representative James Langevin. Meetings with US Congress also allowed for valuable discussion on how to improve humanitarian conditions for the refugees and displaced people of Syria.
Senator Joni Ernst met with the delegation to discuss the ongoing US military presence in the region as a mutually beneficial relationship for both the United States and Syria. 
The autonomous region of Syria is a model of success for the rest of Syria. The Syrian Democratic Council is a key part of the solution to the Syrian crisis.
Intensive strategy sessions were held in Washington DC to determine the best course of action related to US policy toward North and East Syria.
The delegation visited with senior officials at the White House. 
Meeting with Representative Brenda Lawrence. Many US officials were interested in women’s empowerment and the representation of historically-marginalized groups in North and East Syria, which are at the heart of the system in the region. Women’s rights, minority rights, and human rights are protected by the region’s constitution.
Meeting with Representative Brad Schneider. Officials also wanted to hear the SDC’s viewpoint on the balance of power in their region.
The diversity of the delegation — representing Arabs, Syriac Christians, Kurds, and Alaawites, reflected the diversity of all of North and East Syria. The region is a varied, multi-ethnic, multicultural region of many faiths.
The delegation underscored the importance of keeping the current level of US troops in Syria, which serves US national security interests, until the region fully recovers from ISIS, war, and instability. The small contingent of US troops in Syria serves a big purpose, and has prevented further hostilities.
The delegation discussed the Turkish occupation of Afrin, Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), and Tel Abyad (Gire Spi), as well as the human rights violations of Turkish-backed militias — the so-called “Syrian National Army” — with senior US officials. Photo: Delegation members entering the White House complex.
In discussions with State Department officials Joey Hood and Ethan Goldrich, the delegation discussed critical issues pertaining to North and East Syria.
In meetings with the administration and Congress, the delegation raised Turkey’s continued occupation of Syria and its ongoing bombing campaign against everyday people in the North and East Syria.
The Syrian Democratic Council is seeking to maintain train-and-equip funding for the SDF, who continue to battle ISIS, in partnership with the United States and the counter-ISIS international coalition. The SDC delegation sought economic support funds to stabilize the region and build its capacity as well.
The delegation also sought COVID assistance, support in handling refugees and IDPs, and help in processing thousands of ISIS detainees and their families.
The US representatives of the Syrian Democratic Council provides a valuable connection between Washington and North and East Syria.
Allies in US Congress such as Senator Chris Van Hollen help ensure that US policy protects the mutually beneficial partnership between the United States and the region of North and East Syria. Briefings and meetings with US Congress provide valuable channels for sharing updates and information between the regions.

Syrian Democratic Council Delegation – Fall 2021

Delegation Members Pictured:

Ms. Elham Ahmad, Executive President, Syrian Democratic Council

Mr. Ghassan Al-Youssef, Co-Chair, Civil Council of Deir Ez-Zor

Ms. Nazira Gawria, Co-Chair, Civil Council of Jazira

Ms. Sinam Sherkany Mohamad, US Representative, Syrian Democratic Council

Mr. Bassam Said Ishak, US Representative, Syrian Democratic Council

Mr. Bassam Saker, US Representative, Syrian Democratic Council