Washington—Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today released the following statement on U.S. and allied airstrikes in Syria:

“I strongly support the launch of military airstrikes against ISIL and al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria. These strikes are a critical part of the president’s comprehensive strategy to confront these groups. It is especially notable that five Arab nations participated in or supported the strikes, and I hope the world continues to coalesce against these dangerous terrorist organizations.

“I appreciate being briefed yesterday by Vice President Biden, who informed me the U.S. military would begin operations in Syria. I am grateful for the work of U.S. Central Command, which has control over these strikes, including their selection. I am also thankful for our intelligence personnel who are identifying and tracking targets and all of our armed forces involved in this mission.

“ISIL has killed thousands. It has a fighting army, is well-organized and well-financed and now controls a third of Syria and more than a dozen Iraqi cities. ISIL is brutal and inhuman. We must address this threat now or we risk future attacks on American people and assets, both abroad and at home.

“I also strongly support strikes on the so-called Khorasan group in Syria, which is plotting against the United States and Western interests. There is no question the United States continues to face threats from a number of terrorist groups including Khorasan, ISIL and al-Qaeda affiliates in Syria and Yemen. Each of these groups is capable of attacking U.S. interests. The group al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, known as AQAP, has already attempted to bring four bombs into the country on airplanes. Given the ongoing terrorist threats, it is imperative the United States use every tool available—military, diplomatic, intelligence and law enforcement—to disrupt these terrorist plots and strike back at our enemies.”

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