U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, alongside Senate leaders from the national security and foreign relations committees, introduced a resolution condemning Turkey for escalating hostilities in northeastern Syria, calling for a halt to the withdrawal of U.S. armed forces from Syria, and asserting America’s integral role in maintaining security and stability in the region.

Inhofe joins Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Majority Leader; Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), chairman of the Senate Select Intelligence Committee; Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, as a co-sponsor of the resolution.

“Today, with my colleagues, I introduced a strong resolution that reaffirms American leadership in Syria and across the Middle East,” Inhofe said. “This leadership is integral to our national security interests — including the lasting defeat of ISIS and the protection of ethnic and religious minorities.

“If we abandon Syria entirely, the consequences will be devastating and long-lasting, including the reemergence of ISIS, placing ethnic and religious minorities at much greater risk and losing the progress we’ve made under President Trump. I applaud the President for understanding the value of leaving a small number of U.S. troops, supported by airpower, to avoid these potential consequences.

“In no uncertain terms, the resolution outlines the pillars of American leadership in the region. This includes a presence in Syria to ensure the lasting defeat of ISIS, particularly through the continued use of airpower. It also includes ongoing support of our Kurdish and Arab partners, the protection of vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities and continued international diplomatic efforts. While recognizing the importance of Turkey as a NATO ally, this resolution further condemns President Erdogan’s destabilizing decision to escalate Turkey’s incursion into Syria.

“We aren’t in this alone. Our partners have stepped up to combat the radical Islamic terrorism and prevent a humanitarian crisis and must continue to do so. But we can’t abdicate the American leadership that is so essential to maintaining security and stability in the region and across the world.”