Kerry Hints At The Use Of Troops In The US Military Intervention In Syria

Kerry Hints At The Use Of Troops In The US Military Intervention In Syria

The first public hearing on the possibility of US military intervention in Syria, Secretary of State John Kerry opened the door for ground troops in the war-torn country. However, Kerry quickly backtracked after Senator Bob Corker indicated that the response about possible of US troop deployment was not appropriate.

Kerry indicated that he did not want to take out the possible use of ground troops in Syria. This will increase the options of President Barack Obama in case the country imploded. However, he immediately said that there will be no American troops will be used.

The statements were made as Kerry, together with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and General Martin Dempsey visited Congress to attain support for limited strikes by the United States on Syria.

Obama is asking Congress to provide authorization for a US military intervention in Syria following the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government on August 21. A good number of lawmakers are concerned about the open-ended draft resolution of the president that may allow the use of US troop in the country. A recent survey showed that many Americans remain unconvinced of the need for a military strike in the country.

The resolution will give Obama authorization in the use of military force to prevent the proliferation or the use of weapons of mass destruction in Syria. Kerry also appealed to senators not limit the authorization to a single instance. He indicated that additional US military intervention in Syria may be necessary if the Syrian government will use chemical weapons again.

It is essential for the House of Representatives to pass its own version of the authorization. This should be reconciled with the Senate version before it can be signed by Obama. Hagel and Kerry informed the committee that military operations will be limited to reducing the chemical weapons capability of President Bashar al-Assad.

Hagel also indicated that failing to punish Syria for chemical weapons use will affect the national security interests and credibility of the US. Obama was able to acquire support for a US military intervention in Syria from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Speaker John Boehner.

Posted by James Fried on Thursday September 05 2013, 6:13 AM EST. Ref: Reuters. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0