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McCaul’s Statement on the President’s Recent Announcement on U.S. Forces in Syria

December 19, 2018

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee and a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement following President Trump's recent announcement on U.S. forces in Syria:

Congressman McCaul: "I have been very supportive of President Trump's actions over the last two years to crush the so-called Caliphate in Iraq and Syria. We have retaken almost all of the territory once controlled by ISIS and put them on the run. However, I am concerned by today's reports that America has started an immediate withdrawal of all of our troops, as well as our diplomats who are charged with helping those impacted by ISIS to rebuild.

"Such a move is premature and could empower ISIS to regroup and rebuild, inspire Assad to slaughter scores of innocent Syrians, strengthen Russia in the region, and embolden Iran and its Shia proxies to fill the void we've left behind. By removing our presence in Syria, we put our ally Israel in a very dangerous situation with having to deal with a growing Iranian military presence on its border.

"History has taught us that when we completely disengage from a hostile area, it emboldens our enemies to continue their belligerent actions. I am hopeful that President Trump and his national security team can explain how this immediate withdrawal is in America's best interest."

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