Senators seek details on measures to protect service members in Middle East

A group of Democratic Senators urged the Trump Administration last week to detail the security measures to protect diplomats, service members, personnel, and families serving in the Middle East following the killing of Iran’s Qassem Soleimani.

The Democratic Senators also want to evidence of Pres. Donald Trump’s claim that Soleimani had plans to destroy U.S. Embassy Baghdad.

“We write with grave concern about the safety of our diplomats, troops, and personnel in embassies and consulates in the Middle East now grappling from the fallout of the U.S’s targeted killing of General Qassem Soleimani,” the Senators wrote in a letter to Trump. “In the most significant tensions between Iran and the U.S. in forty years, it is becoming clear that our embassies and consulates could become targets.”

The letter was signed by Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Edward Markey (D-MA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Tom Udall (D-NM).

“The American people, including Congress, were not a part of your decision to unnecessarily escalate tensions in the region. As the U.S. military, diplomats, personnel, and their family members face increasing risks in the region as a result of the unintended consequences from killing of General Soleimani, the work of protecting them has never been more important,” they added in the letter.