Ilhan Omar: U.S. Strategy in Syria Taking ‘Cues’ from Russia, Turkey, Israel

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. President Donald Trump’s strategy to resolve the Syrian conflict is taking “cues” from Russia, Turkey, and Israel, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) argued during a House panel hearing Wednesday without acknowledging that the three countries stand on opposing sides of the more than eight-year-old war.

During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Omar told Ambassador James Jeffrey, the president’s special envoy for Syria engagement who was invited to testify:

It seems that the particular conflict in Syria is being birthed out of a need for the people to have freedom and to actualize democracy and I’m concerned that most of our cues right now [are] being taken from Russia, and Turkey, and Israel, and so I’m wondering if that’s sort of a counter message to what we say we are interested in achieving in Syria.

Jeffrey responded by saying the United Nations, backed by the United States, is committed to giving the Syrian people democracy “through free and fair elections monitored by the U.N., including the diaspora.”

“I believe Democracy should not be given, it should be earned by the people, and we should be in partnership with them,” the Minnesota Democrat followed up.

Omar suggested that Russia, Turkey, and Israel are influencing Trump’s Syrian strategy even though these countries do not coincide in their strategy with each other, making it impossible to appease all three.

Inside Fauci’s private diary: What he wrote about Trump, TV personalities and celebrities

ICE prepares major operation targeting Haitians losing TPS after Supreme Court ruling

One dead, 6 injured after gunfire erupts at unsanctioned California party that drew hundreds: sheriff

Jeffries pivots to Trump and GOP when asked about noncitizens on New Jersey voter rolls

Melania Makes Next Move After Judge Tosses Out Anti-Trump Author’s Lawsuit Against Her

This red state is strengthening its grip as America’s next economic heavyweight

Mickey Mouse Massacre: Disney Has Third Round of Layoffs, Hitting ESPN, Pixar, More

Everyday Revolutionary War heroes take center stage in Trump’s ‘Spirit of ’76’ exhibit

Watch: Red Skelton’s Legendary Pledge of Allegiance Performance for Kids Resurfaces After Another Dem Lawmaker Disrespects the Pledge

Drinking Coffee Is Actually Good For Your Heart, But There’s A Catch

Fauci’s newly released COVID diaries reveal bizarre fixation on fame as pandemic deaths mounted

Watch: Weakest Police Chief in America Lets Marxists Take Over Briefing, Call for Murder of His Officer, and Then He Thanks Them for Coming

Video: Missouri High-Speed Chase Suspect Survives After Stopping Car, Swan Diving Off Bridge to Escape Cops

Missing Grand Canyon hiker, 83, rescued after getting separated from companion

Listen: As Islamists Slaughter Christians, Democrat Candidate Warns Christians Feel ‘Very Threatening’ to Her – She’s a Christian Minister

Russia supports the Iranian-allied regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey backs the opposition. Although Moscow and Ankara have embarked on joint efforts to end the conflict, Turkey remains resolute in its support for Assad opposition forces.

The Russia-Turkey agreement late last year to push al-Qaeda-linked jihadis out of Syria’s Idlib region failed, with Moscow blaming Ankara for the lack of success. Now, the jihadis control most of Idlib and some of the surrounding areas — considered the last remaining rebel stronghold in Syria.

Israel has targeted assets on Syrian soil linked to Assad’s ally Iran. Iran considers Israel, which shares a border with Syria, to be its mortal enemy.

Democrat leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) have defended Omar from bipartisan criticism over repeated antisemitic remarks.

In his written testimony, Ambassador Jeffrey condemned Russia and Iran for enabling Assad, noting that the Syrian regime has been able to re-conquer 60 percent of the war-ravaged country with the help of Moscow, Tehran, and Iranian proxies like Hezbollah.