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.

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

Manhunt underway after Berlin Pride van-ramming kills one and injures 16

‘Vibrant’ Florida grandma allegedly killed by illegal immigrant outside Publix, family fights for justice

Trump’s SAVE America Act stalls as McConnell’s absence complicates Senate path

EXCLUSIVE: Legal group tells NYPD cops they can contact ICE directly despite blue city’s sanctuary rules

100 day sprint to the midterms kicks off as Republicans and Democrats clash for control across the country

The DSA’s dumbed-down definition of working class is designed to deceive

WATCH: Democrats blast Trump Saudi nuclear deal as GOP touts regional alliance

California authorities search for 2 children allegedly abducted by father, fear for their safety

At least 1 shot, 1 detained after reported active shooter at Texas mall: police

Federal appeals court rejects Trump bid to enforce mail ballot order ahead of midterm elections

Second House Discovered Related to Family With 16 ‘Almost Feral’ Children – Building Described as ‘Just Urine, Feces’

Armed man in tactical vest emerges from exploding Queens home before being shot by NYPD officers; 2 found dead

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.