Stop the Iraqi and Iranian-backed militias' aggression on the U.S. ally - the Kurds
The Kurdish people are under attack – and not just by ISIL. The Iraqi army has launched a concerted effort to drive out the Kurdish Peshmerga – which are themselves a part of Iraq’s regional government – from Kirkuk. To make matters worse, the Iraqi army is working hand-in-hand with Iranian-backed militias and Iran’s IRGC by using American weapons and equipment to fight our Kurdish allies. Such hostilities are not only unacceptable and likely to distract from the fight against ISIL, but they are illegal under U.S. law.
U.S. Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2785) requires the implementation of End-Use Monitoring (EUM) programs to ensure that weapons and defense equipment transferred to foreign powers are used appropriately. EUM programs are designed to provide reasonable assurances that “(i) the recipient is complying with the requirements imposed by the United States Government with respect to use, transfers, and security of defense articles and defense services; and (ii) such articles and services are being used for the purposes for which they are provided.”
By transferring American weapons and equipment to Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq, the Iraqi army is in clear violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Iran is a hostile nation and widely considered to be the world’s leading state sponsor of terror. Iran’s IRGC and Quds force led by Commander Qasem Soleimani, was just designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Government in October of 2017. It is simply unfathomable that our government could allow such an atrocity to take place right before our eyes.
Congress has the oversight authority to ensure that these weapons and equipment transfers are brought to an immediate halt. The legislation is clear, and as a member of Congress, you can – and should – see to it that taxpayer-funded weapons do not fall into the hands of Iranian terrorists.
For years, the Kurdish people have suffered at the hands of the government in Baghdad. And in recent years, they became the target of the ISIL’s cruel, vicious and inhumane attacks. Now, they must fight off yet another assault – but this time it is coming from Iran and they are using American weapons.
Remember, the Kurds have had our backs for decades. It is time that we begin to have theirs. Therefore, we urge you to demand that the Iraqi forces take immediate steps to de-escalate this volatile situation by ceasing their hostilities and advances. The US provided military aid and training to the Government of Iraq to fight ISIS and secure itself from external threats, not the Kurds. If the Government of Iraq’s aggression towards the Kurdish Peshmerga continues, the fight against ISIL will be dealt a significant blow. Therefore, we ask you to take these steps to de-escalate the situation:
1. Demand via Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi to immediately cease the Iran-backed militia hostilities by instructing them to leave the disputed territories in Iraq.
2. Halt the use of American military hardware by PMF and Iraqi Army against the US allies, Peshmerga and civilians alike or threaten to sanction future military aid (i.e. FMF, FMS, Train-and-Equip).
3. Utilize United States' leverage on Iraq to remove all economic, financial, humanitarian, and military blockades over the Kurdistan Region.
4. Stop all other financial aid to the Government of Iraq till these assaults are halted and threats removed
Thank you for your time and support in advance.
U.S. Arms Export Control Act (22 U.S.C. 2785) requires the implementation of End-Use Monitoring (EUM) programs to ensure that weapons and defense equipment transferred to foreign powers are used appropriately. EUM programs are designed to provide reasonable assurances that “(i) the recipient is complying with the requirements imposed by the United States Government with respect to use, transfers, and security of defense articles and defense services; and (ii) such articles and services are being used for the purposes for which they are provided.”
By transferring American weapons and equipment to Iranian-backed militias operating in Iraq, the Iraqi army is in clear violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Iran is a hostile nation and widely considered to be the world’s leading state sponsor of terror. Iran’s IRGC and Quds force led by Commander Qasem Soleimani, was just designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Government in October of 2017. It is simply unfathomable that our government could allow such an atrocity to take place right before our eyes.
Congress has the oversight authority to ensure that these weapons and equipment transfers are brought to an immediate halt. The legislation is clear, and as a member of Congress, you can – and should – see to it that taxpayer-funded weapons do not fall into the hands of Iranian terrorists.
For years, the Kurdish people have suffered at the hands of the government in Baghdad. And in recent years, they became the target of the ISIL’s cruel, vicious and inhumane attacks. Now, they must fight off yet another assault – but this time it is coming from Iran and they are using American weapons.
Remember, the Kurds have had our backs for decades. It is time that we begin to have theirs. Therefore, we urge you to demand that the Iraqi forces take immediate steps to de-escalate this volatile situation by ceasing their hostilities and advances. The US provided military aid and training to the Government of Iraq to fight ISIS and secure itself from external threats, not the Kurds. If the Government of Iraq’s aggression towards the Kurdish Peshmerga continues, the fight against ISIL will be dealt a significant blow. Therefore, we ask you to take these steps to de-escalate the situation:
1. Demand via Iraqi Prime Minister Abadi to immediately cease the Iran-backed militia hostilities by instructing them to leave the disputed territories in Iraq.
2. Halt the use of American military hardware by PMF and Iraqi Army against the US allies, Peshmerga and civilians alike or threaten to sanction future military aid (i.e. FMF, FMS, Train-and-Equip).
3. Utilize United States' leverage on Iraq to remove all economic, financial, humanitarian, and military blockades over the Kurdistan Region.
4. Stop all other financial aid to the Government of Iraq till these assaults are halted and threats removed
Thank you for your time and support in advance.
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