WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

“The images and videos telling the story in Aleppo weigh heavily on our conscience, and yet the statements of outrage and compassion are too little and far too late.  The Syrian people do not need more words or speeches.  They need action.  They need the world’s political leaders to find the will to end the Russian and Iranian exploitation of this conflict and stop the violence.  I fear that next year will be too late, especially if the next Administration seeks closer ties to Putin’s Russia.  It will not be easy, but I call on President Obama and all American allies to use every piece of leverage we have to build support for an end to the violence and a future for Syria that includes accountability for these vicious war crimes. Anything short of this will only fuel instability and empower extremists in Syria.”

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