Washington, DC
PITTSFIELD ? Following news that the Obama Administration will deploy a U.S. Special Operations contingent in Syria to advise opposition militant forces, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, D-Springfield, said he would support continued surgical airstrikes, but not troops in the region.
The congressman, who spoke to reporters following a Pittsfield event, said he believes radical Islamist fundamentalism should be confronted, but by the European and Arab nations that surround the so-called Islamic State. Neal added that he hopes Russian President Vladimir Putin will find common purpose with the U.S., NATO and the Arab League in addressing ISIS.
“I think we all have a similar interest in understanding that the threat of ISIS is not about to recede,” he told reporters.
Neal, whose comments came shortly after his congressional colleagues called on U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan to bring an Authorization of Use of Military Force to the chamber floor, maintained his support for military intervention in the region – to an extent.
“I supported the surgical airstrikes – there were only two of us in Massachusetts – and I would continue to support surgical airstrikes. I’m not ready to commit troops to Syria, that’s for sure,” the congressman said. “I would not vote for that at the moment.”
U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Worcester, who has opposed expanded use of military force in Iraq and Syria, introduced a resolution that would’ve required removal of troops in Iraq and Syria within 30 days.
The House voted it down in June by a 139 to 288 margin. Neal joined McGovern in supporting the measure.
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