Support the Kurds in the Fight Against ISIS & Provide Humanitarian Aid
To authorize the direct provision of defense articles, defense services, and related training to the Kurdistan Regional Government, and for other purposes.
As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to provide desperately-needed military and humanitarian assistance directly to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq ? one of the United States? most steadfast and loyal allies. The KRG, led by its brave Peshmerga forces, has served as the point of the spear in the existential battle against the Islamic State (IS). While we are grateful for the essential air strikes that the U.S. and allies have provided, that, given the current threat, is not nearly enough. In March 2015, the UN issued a report documenting, in gruesome details, mass murders, torture, rape and sexual assault (even of children as young as six) by IS, and its brutal, targeted efforts to eradicate entire religious communities, including Yezidi and Christian communities. More must be done to support our Kurdish allies if we are to degrade and ultimately destroy this genocidal enemy that threatens our shared commitment to democracy
Our Kurdish allies are bravely confronting IS, but are badly outgunned by our enemy. IS captured millions of dollars of U.S.-supplied heavy equipment that was abandoned by Iraqi Security Forces fleeing from approaching IS fighters. Faced with an enemy that holds vastly superior U.S. weaponry, as of March over 1,100 Peshmerga and Kurdish security forces have been killed, with another 5,600 injured. Weapons and equipment designated for the Peshmerga, but routed through Baghdad have been delayed or have not reached their intended destination. It is critical that the U.S., without delay, directly provide our close ally the weapons and equipment it needs to effectively fight this brutal enemy.
The U.S. should also increase its humanitarian assistance to the KRG. The KRG now hosts over 1.6 million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), including Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities. But, the influx of refugees and IDPs has stretched the KRG?s resources to its limits and, consequently, the government now struggles to meet their most basic needs. The humanitarian crisis is now so dire that the UN has designated the Kurdistan Region a ?Level 3 Emergency,? its highest rating for humanitarian emergencies. As IS (aka ISIL) continues its reign of terror, with no immediate end in sight, I implore you to provide additional funds for humanitarian assistance.
As your constituent, I ask that you please support by becoming a co-sponsor and approve the bipartisan legislation {H.R. 1654 - To authorize the direct provision of defense articles, defense services, and related training to the Kurdistan Regional Government, and for other purposes} led by Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel which provides heavy equipment and weaponry directly to our Kurdish allies. As our allies continue to serve bravely as our ?boots on the ground,? we owe them the necessary equipment to effectively combat our common enemy ? swiftly and withou
Our Kurdish allies are bravely confronting IS, but are badly outgunned by our enemy. IS captured millions of dollars of U.S.-supplied heavy equipment that was abandoned by Iraqi Security Forces fleeing from approaching IS fighters. Faced with an enemy that holds vastly superior U.S. weaponry, as of March over 1,100 Peshmerga and Kurdish security forces have been killed, with another 5,600 injured. Weapons and equipment designated for the Peshmerga, but routed through Baghdad have been delayed or have not reached their intended destination. It is critical that the U.S., without delay, directly provide our close ally the weapons and equipment it needs to effectively fight this brutal enemy.
The U.S. should also increase its humanitarian assistance to the KRG. The KRG now hosts over 1.6 million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), including Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities. But, the influx of refugees and IDPs has stretched the KRG?s resources to its limits and, consequently, the government now struggles to meet their most basic needs. The humanitarian crisis is now so dire that the UN has designated the Kurdistan Region a ?Level 3 Emergency,? its highest rating for humanitarian emergencies. As IS (aka ISIL) continues its reign of terror, with no immediate end in sight, I implore you to provide additional funds for humanitarian assistance.
As your constituent, I ask that you please support by becoming a co-sponsor and approve the bipartisan legislation {H.R. 1654 - To authorize the direct provision of defense articles, defense services, and related training to the Kurdistan Regional Government, and for other purposes} led by Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel which provides heavy equipment and weaponry directly to our Kurdish allies. As our allies continue to serve bravely as our ?boots on the ground,? we owe them the necessary equipment to effectively combat our common enemy ? swiftly and withou
View Comments