WILMINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement on the deadly chemical attack in Douma, Syria.
“President Bashar al-Assad’s latest chemical attack on his own people is a war crime and a heartbreaking reminder that he is among the world’s most brutal, vicious dictators. The international community must not allow this to continue, and that starts by holding Russia and Iran accountable for propping up this murderous regime. I am encouraged that President Trump finally called out both Iran and Russian President Vladimir Putin by name for their support of the Assad regime, but the fact remains that the Trump Administration has not only failed to present a strategy for the crisis, but has sent dangerous mixed signals about our commitment to defeating ISIS, supporting innocent civilians, and meeting the challenges posed by expanding Russian and Iranian influence in Syria. I hope Secretary of State nominee Mike Pompeo will clarify the Administration's policy towards Syria and the wider Middle East during his confirmation hearing on Thursday. We need clear-eyed, strong U.S. leadership in Syria, and I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Trump Administration to provide that.”
###
