Lindsey Graham by Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0/Original

In the wake of President Donald Trump announcing that he was pulling U.S. forces out of Syria, many began voicing opposition out of their concern for the safety of American allies in the region, namely the Kurds.

Turkey has made it very clear that it intends to conduct “operations in Syria” after the U.S. moves out, and already bombed the Syria-Iraq border in order to prevent Kurd movement that would allow them to fortify their positions.

“In this way, the group’s transit to Syria and support lines, including ammunition, are shut off,” said a Turkish official.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R), who is one of the Senators who denounced the decision to pull U.S. forces out of the region, has warned Turkey that if they so much as step foot in the area, he’ll bury them in sanctions.

“If Turkey moves into northern Syria, sanctions from hell — by Congress — will follow. Wide, deep, and devastating sanctions,” Graham tweeted Tuesday.

If Turkey moves into northern Syria, sanctions from hell – by Congress – will follow.

Wide, deep, and devastating sanctions.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 8, 2019

This was a follow up to statements he made on Monday, making it clear that if Turkey acts against the Kurds, then sanctions will follow. Graham already has bipartisan support for these sanctions thanks to Democrat Sen. Chris Van Hollen.

“We will introduce bipartisan sanctions against Turkey if they invade Syria and will call for their suspension from NATO if they attack Kurdish forces who assisted the U.S. in the destruction of the ISIS Caliphate,” Graham added.

While this is Trump’s decision, the President has also made it clear that any moves by Turkey in the area will result in the targeted destruction of its economy.

“As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!),” tweeted Trump.

As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!). They must, with Europe and others, watch over…

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 7, 2019

The ball is in Turkey’s court at this point. Once the U.S. pulls out, Turkey will have to make the decision to risk the wrath of the United States. However, the Kurds aren’t so sure that’s going to scare Turkey into capitulation.