About the difficult character to fight in Syria, Mattis said, “sometimes you will see contrary impulses,” after Rep. Joe Courtney, a Connecticut Democrat, read some presidents Donald trump tweets this week, first promised to strike at Syria, suggesting that the strikes may not be soon.
Mattis confirmed by the President, Donald trump has not made a decision and said after the hearing ends, he will take part in the meeting of the national security Council at the White house, in which he will “promote a variety of options for the President.”
‘We have proof Syria used chemical weapons, the President of France Emmanuel macron says
No final decision on Syria after trump met with the national security team: WH
Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty ImagesUS Secretary of defense of the United States James Mattis and Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Joseph Dunford, right, arrive to testify before a hearing of the armed services Committee on Capitol hill April 12, 2018.
Mattis is hosted on Russia the blame for the continuation of the alleged chemical attacks in Syria, despite the fact that Mattis said the US has no hard evidence that chemical weapons have been used in the Duma the attack, which killed at least 43 people.
He said they are still trying to get the organization for the prohibition of chemical weapons inspectors Duma during the week to gather evidence.
“You saw President Obama trying to deal with those chemical weapons when he was in and with the Russians, who were now involved in Syria, keeping weapons, Assad save them – and the only reason Assad is still in power, because the Russians unfortunately veto in the UN and the Russian and Iranian military,” said Mattis.
But asked what is the best approach to deal with the conflict in Syria, Mattis said that the US remains committed to “the end of the war through the Geneva process, organized by the efforts of the UN.”
Mattis said he saw refugees from all over the world, including in Kosovo and Africa, he had never seen the “refugees injured getting out of Syria. He got to the end and our strategy remains the same as a year ago, to come to the UN brokered peace, but at the same time to keep the foot on the neck of ISIS, while we suffocate in it.”
Secretary associated PressDefense Jim Mattis, left, Chairman of the joint chiefs of staff General Joseph Dunford testify FY2019 budget during hearings in Committee on armed services of the house of representatives on Capitol hill on Thursday, April 12, 2018 in Washington.
Asked what his biggest worry is about possible military action, Mattis has led to victims among the civilian population.
“There is a tactical concern, mA’am,” he said in Resp. Complex Nicki tsongas, d-mass., “that the innocent people-we don’t add any victims among the civilian population. We are trying to stop the killing of innocent people, but at the strategic level, this is how we keep this to grow out of control, if you get my drift on that.”
Several Committee members pressed Mattis that he has the authority to strike without a vote in Congress. Mattis cited the protection of the 2000 or so American troops in Syria helping in the fight against ISIS.
“We have forces on the battlefield, as you know, in Syria and use of chemical weapons in Syria is not something that we need to assume that, well, because he didn’t use them this time, he wouldn’t use them on next time,” he said.
“We need to look at the use of chemical weapons, whether it be in Salisbury, England, or in Syria, somehow it’s not right and it should be resolved, and Russia prevents the UN from dealing with him, we can be compliant, or we may have something to do.”
Mattis also promised to notify the leaders of Congress, military action, before it will be accepted, and make a full report of any possible action in Congress later.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
