Ernst Calls for Review of U.S. Equipment Provided In Iraq

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) sent a letter to President Obama calling for a detailed response regarding circumstances in which? equipment has potentially been provided to Iraqi Shia militia groups supported or controlled by Iran. The letter details Iran’s past efforts to undermine U.S. and Iraqi interests through their relationship with Iraqi Shia Militia groups, and urges the Obama Administration to increase its oversight to ensure Iranian supported Iraqi Shia Militia do not obtain U.S. military support or equipment.

“As a veteran who served in both Kuwait and Iraq during the Iraq War and as a Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have a duty to ensure neither American taxpayer dollars, nor the efforts of our service members, go toward supporting our adversaries,” Ernst wrote, “I believe the Administration must increase its oversight of the Iraq Train-and-Equip mission to ensure neither U.S. military support, nor equipment, is obtained by Iranian supported or controlled Iraqi Shia militia.”

Ernst continued “I would request a detailed response from your Administration regarding the frequency and the amount of equipment we have provided to the Iraqi government which has then been provided to the Iraqi Shia militia groups supported or controlled by Iran. Furthermore, I would request a detailed response to the level of support and equipment provided by the Iraqi government to the Kurdish Peshmerga and Sunni tribal forces, and if that support has been received in a less timely manner than the support provided to Iraqi Shia militia from the Iraqi government.”

View the entire letter here.

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