Opening Statement of U.S. Senator Jack Reed

Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee

Room SH-216

Hart Senate Office Building

Thursday, April 28, 2016

 

Hearing on Counter-ISIL Operations and Middle East Strategy with Witnesses Honorable Ashton B. Carter and General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., USMC

(As Prepared for Delivery)

I would like to join the Chairman in welcoming back Secretary Carter and Chairman Dunford.

This morning’s hearing to update the committee on the status of Coalition military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL, is especially timely.  It comes on the heels of visits to region by the President, Secretary Kerry, and both of you as part of the Administration’s continuing review of our ongoing efforts as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.  We look forward to hearing your assessment of the situation on the ground; the progress that has been made to date; and the military tasks that can be accomplished in the months ahead. 

In recent days, the Department has announced two deployments – one each for Iraq and Syria.  These deployments are intended to bolster our efforts in those two countries as the focus of coalition operations increasingly turns to isolating Mosul and Raqqah, as well as ensuring that our partners on the ground in Iraq and Syria have the enabling support needed to continue their momentum against ISIL.

The deployment to Iraq comes at a sensitive time for Prime Minister Abadi who continues to struggle to bring together the Sunni, Shia, and Kurdish elements of the political establishment in Iraq -- a complicated reality that was on full display earlier this week when the Prime Minister partially reshuffled his cabinet amid stepped-up pressure by thousands of protesters threatening to storm parliament.  As we consider our policy in Iraq, it is important to remember that the coalition is there at the invitation of the Iraqis and we must remain cognizant of the political opposition of some to our continued and growing presence in the country.  Ignoring that reality risks damaging our broader strategic goal of a lasting political solution for Iraq and the defeat of ISIL.

In Syria, the cessation of hostilities has seen a growing number of violations in recent days.  Of most concern are the violations by the forces of the Assad regime in Aleppo and the surrounding region.  In March, President Putin announced Russia was to begin withdrawing its forces from Syria, but, as is often the case with President Putin, the public message is not consistent with the reality of events on the ground.  According to reports, forces loyal to the Syrian government are beginning to mass and concentrate combat power around Aleppo.  These actions do not portend well for the direction of this conflict.  I hope the Secretary and Chairman will provide their updated assessment on the military actions of the regime and Russian forces and how these figure into our planning. 

One matter currently before the committee is a request by the Administration to extend the DOD's authority to train and equip the moderate Syrian opposition.  As we consider this request, it is my assessment that without our local Syrian partners on the ground, the recapture of Kobani, Hasakah, Shadadi, and a number of other towns and villages would not have been possible. I hope the Secretary and Chairman will speak to the importance of this request for an extension. 

In addition to Iraq and Syria, I hope the Secretary and the Chairman will provide their updated assessment on the threat posed by ISIL’s growing presence in Libya.  There have been public reports of a number of U.S. military operations in Libya and some suggestion that more may follow.  As the committee moves towards the markup of the Defense Authorization bill, it is critical that we have a keen understanding of your view on the threat emanating from Libya.

I look forward to your testimony.