Schiff Statement on the Trump Administration’s Syria Policy Announcement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) released the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to withdraw American troops from Northern Syria:
“The President’s impulsive behavior has once again put our troops in Syria, British and French allied forces, our Kurdish partners, and our hard won gains against ISIS at great risk. Rather than advancing a diplomatic approach to consolidate progress and deescalate tensions in Northern Syria, the unilateral announcement of an American troop withdrawal and the blessing of a Turkish invasion threaten to spark even more conflict and loss of life. This action, which does not appear to include a plan on how to manage ISIS detainees or the al-Hol refugee camp, comes at a time of increasing chaos in Iraq. It could sow the seeds for a resurgent Islamic State.
“As James Mattis said in his resignation letter, ‘We cannot protect our interests…without maintaining strong alliances and showing respect to those allies.’ The President’s actions will hearten Russia and Iran to the detriment of America’s interests and its credibility, the consequences of which could be felt for years to come.”
###