A joint resolution opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria.

IIA 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. J. RES. 57 Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES OCTOBER 15, 2019 Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself and Mr. YOUNG) introduced the following joint resolution; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on For- eign Relations JOINT RESOLUTION Opposing the decision to end certain United States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria. Whereas thousands of Syrian fighters, including Syrian Kurds, fought courageously with the United States against the brutality of ISIS throughout Syria, liberating nearly one-third of Syrian territory from ISIS’ so-called ‘‘caliphate.’’; Whereas, on October 6, 2019, the White House announced ‘‘Turkey will soon be moving forward with its long- planned operation into Northern Syria’’ while the ‘‘United States Armed Forces will not support or be in- volved in the operation, and United States forces . . . will no longer be in the immediate area.’’; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Oct 15, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SJ57.IS SJ57 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SJ 57 IS Whereas, on October 6, 2019, the White House announced ‘‘Turkey will now be responsible for all ISIS fighters in the area captured over the past two years . . . .’’; Whereas, an October 10, 2019, White House statement said, ‘‘This morning, Turkey, a NATO member, invaded Syria. The United States does not endorse this attack and has made it clear to Turkey that this operation is a bad idea.’’; Whereas Turkey has historically threatened, forcibly dis- placed, and killed Syrian Kurds, including during mili- tary operations in the Afrin District; Whereas, on August 1, 2019, Special Envoy James Jeffrey stated in reference to the Syrian Kurds and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), ‘‘We are committed to defeat- ing ISIS in northeast Syria. The SDF . . . is our part- ner there. We are committed to those who have fought with us not being attacked and not being harmed by any- one. The President made that clear publicly. That in- cludes our concerns about the Turks.’’; Whereas in January 2019, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats stated in Congressional testimony that ‘‘The conflicts in Iraq and Syria have generated a large pool of skilled and battle-hardened fighters who remain dis- persed throughout the region . . . and the group has re- turned to its guerilla-warfare roots while continuing to plot attacks and direct its supporters worldwide. ISIS is intent on resurging.’’; Whereas, during the counter-ISIS campaign in Syria, the SDF captured thousands of ISIS fighters, including for- eign terrorist fighters from around the world who pose threats to our allies in the region; VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Oct 15, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SJ57.IS SJ57 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SJ 57 IS Whereas in addition to ISIS fighters in detention approxi- mately 70,000 women and children are currently held at the Al-Hol internally displaced persons camp and at other camps in northeast Syria; Whereas the Lead Inspector General for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve stated in August 2019, ISIS is already ‘‘seeking to establish safe haven in al-Hol’’ aiming to recruit individuals who are ‘‘susceptible to ISIS messaging, coercion, and enticement.’’; Whereas the SDF has warned the United States and inter- national community that a Turkish incursion into North- east Syria would significantly decrease the SDF’s ability to combat ISIS and to continue providing security and management for ISIS detainees and their family mem- bers; Whereas, on October 6, 2019, President Trump conducted a call with President Erdogan in which, according to the official White House press release, they discussed the up- coming Turkish incursion, and soon after this call, a White House press release announced the withdrawal of the United States military from the immediate area, which was completed within hours; and Whereas an abrupt withdrawal of United States military per- sonnel from certain parts of Northeast Syria is beneficial to adversaries of the United States government, including Syria, Iran, and Russia: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives 1 of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 That Congress— 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Oct 15, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SJ57.IS SJ57 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS 4 •SJ 57 IS (1) opposes the decision to end certain United 1 States efforts to prevent Turkish military operations 2 against Syrian Kurdish forces in Northeast Syria; 3 (2) calls on Turkish President Erdogan to im- 4 mediately cease unilateral military action in North- 5 east Syria and to respect existing agreements relat- 6 ing to Syria; 7 (3) calls on the United States to continue sup- 8 porting Syrian Kurdish communities through hu- 9 manitarian support, including to those displaced or 10 otherwise affected by ongoing violence in Syria; 11 (4) calls on the United States to work to ensure 12 that the Turkish military acts with restraint and re- 13 spects existing agreements relating to Syria; and 14 (5) calls on the White House to present a clear 15 and specific plan for the enduring defeat of ISIS. 16 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 23:58 Oct 15, 2019 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SJ57.IS SJ57 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with BILLS