Kaptur statement on U.S. service members deaths in Syria

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Dean of the Ohio Delegation and a senior member of the House Defense Appropriations Committee released the following statement regarding the deaths and injuries sustained by U.S. service members in the U.S.-patrolled Syrian city of Manbij. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the blast.

"The President of United States and his chief National Security Advisor John Bolton —neither of whom are war tested veterans, both who dodged the draft— cannot carelessly and unilaterally change strategy in a war zone, like Syria, without great risk to human life. Over the objections of all his top military advisors, President Trump ceded the field to uncertainty. He gave succor to and emboldened the enemy. He risked the precious lives of our U.S. military personnel stationed around the globe, but most immorally in war ravaged Syria. Today's tragic loss of Americans' lives in Syria, along with their comrades in arms in a dangerous conflict zone, should heavily weigh on the conscience of the President based on his orders."

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