The United States Senate has voted down a bill (13 Yay, 84 Nay) that would require the withdrawal of American forces from Syria, which comes amid continued drone and rocket attacks by Iran-backed Shia militias in the region.
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), who headed the bill, argued that “It seems to me, though our 900 troops have no viable mission in Syria, that they’re sitting ducks,” adding that “They’re a tripwire to a larger war, and without a clear-cut mission, I don’t think they can adequately defend themselves, yet they remain in Syria.”
“Our troops in Syria regularly come under attack, not from ISIS but from Iranian-backed militias.”
Since October 17, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization of Iran-backed militias, has claimed responsibility for at least 75 attacks against American forces in both Iraq and Syria.
Today I forced a Senate vote to reclaim congressional war powers and end the American military presence in Syria. Unfortunately some Senators chose to continue abdicating their constitutional authority to the executive branch. Watch more: https://t.co/IB7yEr8FEv pic.twitter.com/D71vx6peyR
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) December 7, 2023
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), on the other hand, argued that “Passage of such a resolution would be a gift to Iran and its terrorist network. Driving American forces from the Middle East is exactly what they would like to see.”
“Adopting this short-sighted measure would wreck America’s credibility in the region.”
“It would encourage Iran’s proxies to open a northern front in the territorial war against Israel. And it would invite America’s adversaries to challenge our military presence throughout the world,” he added.