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Sen. Reed, SASC ranking member, says Trump administration's contradictory statements about the US troop withdrawal from Syria reveal that the pullout decision was “anything but thoughtful and deliberate."
The last few weeks have been busy, says CENTCOM chief Gen. Votel. Among his latest agenda items: 1) Supporting peace talks in Yemen and Afghanistan 2) Began arranging orderly pullout in Syria and support to Iraq 3) 'monitored and mitigated' Iran's maritime role
Votel: US-led coalition has "largely liberated" ISIS caliphate, but adds "the fight is not over" and calls for an offensive against the militant group.
Votel indicates that CENTCOM is still drawing up US withdrawal plans in Syria: "US ground forces will depart Syria in a deliberate and coordinated manner. These details are being developed now."
Votel calls Yemen's ceasefire "promising." The UN warned yesterday that the fragile truce - struck in December with the support of former Secretary of Defense Mattis - is in jeopardy.
Votel says he believes US goals in Iraq (stopping ISIS from regenerating) will be completed by the time that American forces pull out.
Votel says that pulling American support to the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen would “[remove] the leverage that we have … it further endangers Americans in the region."
Votel: We are working through a variety of scenarios to maintain pressure on ISIS (but defers question to the classified session to follow)
Votel addresses talks between US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and Assad: "All of these parties talk to each other all the time ... we do expect that is occurring." Syrian Kurds have been pretty frank with US officials about this:https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/01/syria-kurds-join-forces-assad-us-withdraw.html …
Reed says Saudi-led coalition owes the US $331 million in backpay for refueling their war planes in Yemen. Votel says both governments have acknowledged the bill, but unclear when US is getting paid back. @samueloakford had the scoop on this in December:https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2018/12/saudi-arabias-fortunes-in-washington-might-finally-be-fading/578251/ …
Votel says Pak has been helpful in regionalizing Afghanistan talks: "Pakistan has played a more constructive role in helping us move to this objective." One question that may not get asked by SASC: How has the Qatar standoff – and Gulf competition over talks – impacted things?
*Pointed question on Syria* SHAHEEN: "Can you tell us how we can prevent ISIS from becoming resurgent in Syria if the US has no troops" VOTEL: US has a "variety of options" but defers to the close session
Votel acknowledges bombshell CNN report on US weapons in Yemen to Saudi-led coalition falling to Al Qaeda and militants: “We have not authorized Saudi Arabia or the Emirates to transfer any of this equipment to other parties on the ground in Yemen."https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2019/02/middleeast/yemen-lost-us-arms/ …
After CNN report, Votel says US has to "look more closely" at the allegations of Saudi-led coalition weapons falling to militants in Yemen. Centcom chief says in Iraq, US weapons fell to ISIS after Iraqi bases were overrun.
Votel on by, with, and through in Iraq and Syria: "Our people are not kicking in doors ... in the end, our partners own what is left behind, we don't."
Heinrich goes after Votel on US pledges to the Kurds: "I worry that there’s a lot of lip service about making good on our promises to the Kurds … I believe the consequences could be morally terrible if we don’t."
Votel parries Trump comments that US will remain in Iraq to 'watch' Iran: "The Government of Iraq ... understands our concerns with Iran and the destabilizing activities that they conduct. Our military mission remains focused on the reason that the [GoI] asked us to come there."
Rick Scott says Syrian Kurdish delegation he met last week asked for a no-fly zone over NE Syria. Votel says that's not on the table: “I would not characterize what we’re looking at now as a no-fly zone." @AlMonitor took a in-depth look at the trip:https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/02/kurdish-lobby-struggle-slow-us-pullout-syria.html …
Votel: "I don't think you're going to find any Army guys ... who are going to argue against the A-10." He's got a new ally on Armed Services in that fight, with newly-appointed Sen. Martha McSally (a former Warthog pilot) now on the committee.
*NEWS* @CENTCOM chief Votel says he was not directly consulted before Trump announced the Syria pullout in December: “I was not aware of the specific announcement."
Votel says difference between regular and special forces in CENTCOM are "indistinguishable." Hopes to trumpet the train-and-advise mission as a key legacy point as he heads for retirement next month.
*NEW* Votel says Saudi-led coalition should pay US back for flying hours on refueling mission by March, and for the fuel by May.
Votel deflects on US debate over whether to keep a Syrian base to deal with Iran. Says US reason for being at Al-Tanf is for defeat-ISIS mission.
JUST IN: Votel reverses course, indicates that US does have a database to track this information. Not clear whether it's classified or unclassified.https://twitter.com/JackDetsch_ALM/status/1092784162673774592 …
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