Syrian American Council Offers Appreciation to Syria Caucus for Letter to Trump

The Friends of a Free, Stable and Democratic Syria Caucus urges Trump to take action on Idlib amidst escalating attacks

WASHINGTON D.C., May 22, 2019–The Syrian American Council express its gratitude to Rep. Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), Rep. Adam D. Kinzinger (R-IL), and the 31 other members of the Friends of a Free, Stable and Democratic Syria Caucus who called last week for the Trump administration to take action to halt the bloodshed in northwest Syria. The Syrian American Council echoes their call for the administration to help reinstate the ceasefire in northwest Syria, and stresses the urgency of this effort.

The bi-partisan letter sent by Syria Caucus members to President Trump on Wednesday, May 16, 2019 described the recent surge of attacks on Idlib province by the Assad regime and its allies, noting the 200,000 people already displaced and the complete destruction of 12 medical centers.

Since the letter was sent, the number of medical centers bombed has risen to 19 – highlighting the regime’s uninhibited cruelty and complete disregard for international law. The scale of the humanitarian catastrophe in the targeted areas of Idlib and Hama – where more than half of the population is made up of internally displaced persons, who fled earlier regime attacks and ISIS rule – is unprecedented and rapidly worsening.

The escalating offensive in northwest Syria further emboldens the murderous Assad regime and its backers, particularly Iran, which has significant proxy forces deployed in the area, including forces embedded within the Syrian army. If allowed to continue unchecked, this dangerous assault on Idlib by the regime and its allies presents a serious threat to regional stability and U.S. interests.

A missed opportunity under the Obama administration contributed to at least 560,000 Syrians killed, 5.6 million Syrian refugees, and a further 6.2 million internally displaced. The Syrian-American community puts its hope in President Trump and the opportunity to save more than 3 million civilians in Idlib.

The letter was signed by the following 33 members of Congress:

Co-Chairman Brendan Boyle (D-PA)
Co-Chairman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL)
Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY)
Ranking Member Michael McCaul (R-TX)
Chairman Ted Deutch (D-FL)
Ranking Member Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE)
Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN)
Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI)
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX)
Rep. Susan Brooks (R-IN)
Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN)
Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH)
Rep. Steven Cohen (D-TN)
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI)
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX)
Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA)
Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL)
Rep. French Hill (R-AR)
Rep. Dan Kildee (D-MI)
Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL)
Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA)
Rep. Alex Mooney (R-WV)
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL)
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA)
Rep. Greg Stanton (D-AZ)
Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH)
Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA)
Rep. Steve Watkins (R-KS)
Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO)
Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL)

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Michelle R. Taylor
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