U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued the following statement on the recently announced agreement between Turkey and the United States:

“I thank President Trump, Vice President Pence, and Secretary Pompeo for their work to negotiate an agreement between Turkey and the United States regarding Turkey’s incursion in northeast Syria. The next few days will be critical, and I will be watching closely as the situation unfolds.

“America’s role doesn’t end with this agreement. I spoke with President Trump Thursday, and he knows the importance of our leadership in the region—specifically the need to maintain airpower. The U.S. must retain airpower to keep the pressure on ISIS, prevent our adversaries Russia and Iran from exploiting this situation and protect our partners on the ground. In addition, we also must work with the international community to preserve peace and stability in the long run. In particular, I’m concerned that recent events have endangered the region’s ethnic and religious minorities. Their security should be a priority as we work toward a lasting solution in the region.”