NBC News reports that the United States has resumed strikes against Syrian targets, firing over 50 Tomahawk cruise missiles in an attack against a single airfield inside the country. The airfield in western Syria is believed to be the same airfield used by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to launch the Sarin gas attack that killed over…
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U.S. Representative Peter J. Roskam released the following statement after the U.S. military initiated a strike against the Shayrat Airfield in Syria, a military base associated with the Assad Regime’s chemical weapons attack earlier this week:
“This was a bold and decisive action against the war criminal Bashar al-Assad – but airstrikes alone will not solve the crisis in Syria. We need a comprehensive strategy to end the tyrannical reign of the Assad family and free the Syrian people from the grip of Iran and Russia. Moving forward, the Administration should work closely with Congress toward that end.”
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) praised President Trump for ordering a U.S. military strike on a Syrian airbase following the Assad regime’s fatal chemical weapons attack earlier this week. Dozens of civilians, including children, were killed or severely injured in the Syrian regime’s attack in Idlib province.
“The U.S. action is a wake-up call to the international community that endless words of anguish and protest are not nearly enough in the face of an ongoing crisis of this magnitude,” said AJC CEO David Harris. “While it remains to be seen what the U.S. strategy will be, it is heartening to witness President Trump show leadership, strength, and resolve, and, in doing so, gain the support of so many in the international community.”
More than 500,000 Syrians have died in the six-year-old civil war, and some 11 million Syrians, half of the country’s population, have become internally displaced or refugees in other countries.
As President Trump noted, preventing the use and proliferation of chemical weapons is a vital U.S. national security interest.
“There can be no dispute that Syria used banned chemical weapons, violated its obligations under the chemical weapons convention and ignored the urging of the UN Security Council,” said Trump, announcing the launch of 59 missiles from U.S. Navy ships off the coast of Syria.
Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks released the following statement:
“The RJC strongly supports last night’s strikes against the Syrian military targets in response to the horrific chemical attacks by Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. We want to thank the members and the families of the U.S. Armed Forces who carried out last night’s attack. This response has made it clear to the world that the United States will not sit by as Assad brutally slaughters innocent civilians. President Trump made the right, moral choice in responding to this reprehensible chemical attack, and he deserves our support.”
Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey (D-Rockland/Westchester), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, released the following statement on the U.S. missile strikes against a Syrian government airbase in response to the Assad Regime’s chemical weapons attack on civilians:
“This week, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad again used chemical weapons to brutally massacre innocent Syrian men, women, and children. There is absolutely no place in human society for chemical weapons, and those who would use these barbaric tools must be held accountable.
“President Trump’s missile strike was a measured response to deter further use of chemical weapons by Assad and the Syrian regime. However, this strike will not solve the Syrian crisis nor provide humanitarian assistance to millions of Syrians so desperately in need.
“President Trump must now present to the American people and Armed Forces a comprehensive, long-term strategy for ending the Syrian crisis, providing stability to the region, removing Assad, and holding him accountable for his crimes.”
Today, U.S. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) issued the following statement after the United States military launched a cruise missile attack on a Syrian airfield in response to a chemical weapons attack earlier this week:
“The chemical attack this week was the latest in a long line of brutal atrocities committed against the Syrian people by Bashar al-Assad – it warranted a response.
“However, I am concerned that President Trump would launch an attack unilaterally without consulting the legislative branch. Congress has not provided the authority to conduct war against the Syrian government. Going forward, the President owes it to Congress and the American people to inform them of the larger strategy in Syria and any future military actions.
“I look forward to working collaboratively with the President and Congress to hold Assad accountable for his actions, end the war in Syria, and provide for humane treatment of the refugees from this tragedy and tyranny.”