Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, released the following statement on Syria:
I commend President Trump for assertively acting against the Syrian regime for its barbaric chemical weapons attack on the men, women and children of Khan Sheikhoun. These operations against the air base will hopefully degrade the chemical weapons capabilities of the regime and deter it from repeating such attacks. Until now, the Assad government and its Russian and Iranian backers have enjoyed virtually limitless impunity in their six-year-long slaughter of the Syrian people. The President acted decisively and responsibly to put these parties on notice that the savagery must stop and a negotiated transition of power in Syria must begin. I look forward to working with the White House and my colleagues in Congress to further guarantee accountability for the crimes against humanity and war crimes perpetrated by the Syrian government and ISIS and other jihadi groups. Such accountability, including investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide will serve as the foundation for a safe, free and just future for all Syrians.
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