Central ND News

WASHINGTON – In response to the ongoing attacks by Iranian military proxies on the armed forces of the United States in Iraq and Syria, Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chris Coons (D-DE), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) have introduced S. Res 515, a resolution that condemns these attacks and emphasizes the urgency of deterring future ones.

The need for this resolution was underscored by a recent drone attack on the Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq, carried out by an Iran-affiliated militant group. Three service members, including U.S. Army pilot Garrett Illerbrunn, were wounded in the attack. President Biden responded by ordering retaliatory strikes on three sites used by Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups, specifically targeting unmanned aerial drone activities.

Senator Cramer expressed his support for the resolution, stating, "American troops tirelessly defend our freedoms abroad. Our men and women – along with the rest of the world – need to unequivocally know the U.S. government has their back. Any attack on them is despicable and should not be tolerated. These Iranian-backed groups should be condemned in the strongest possible manner, and their terrorism must be met with a decisive response."

Iran-backed militia groups have been consistently targeting U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq and Syria, using various means such as loitering munitions, improvised explosive devices, rockets, and ballistic missiles. These attacks have significantly increased following the terrorist attack by Hamas, another Iranian proxy, on Israel on October 7, 2023.

S. Res 515 calls on the Biden administration to take necessary steps to deter Iran from further attacks. The resolution also requests that the administration declare any further incitements by Iran will be met with a swift and decisive response, in coordination with U.S. allies and partners, to address the threat posed by Iran-backed militia groups to U.S. and allied forces in the Middle East.

This resolution emphasizes the importance of protecting U.S. forces and deterring future attacks by Iran and its proxies. It sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate any harm inflicted upon its servicemen and women. The Biden administration is urged to take decisive action, in collaboration with allies, to address the ongoing threat posed by Iran-backed militia groups in the Middle East.

Click here for the full bill text of S. Res 515.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.cramer.senate.gov/news/press-releases/resolution-condemns-attacks-by-iran-militia-groups-on-us-forces-emphasizes-importance-of-deterring-attacks