WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the attacks by the Assad regime in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta:

“I strongly condemn the Assad regime’s heinous attacks on the people of Eastern Ghouta, which have targeted children and struck health-care facilities. The number of victims amounts to the largest single-day death toll in years.

“The offensive at Eastern Ghouta is just the latest example of Assad’s backers—Russia and Iran—ignoring the safety of civilians. The bloody footage demonstrates that Assad’s failed strategy of establishing ‘de-escalation zones’ is just the regime’s latest effort to expand control.

“For too long, the United States has stood by while Syrian people have been slaughtered en masse. Enough is enough. The House has already passed the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act to make Syria’s backers pay the price for these war crimes. I urge the Senate to do the same without delay.”

Background:

The Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act (H.R. 1677) would impose new sanctions on the Assad regime and its supporters, encourage negotiations to end the crisis, and prompt investigations into the eventual prosecution of war criminals. It passed the House on May 17, 2017.

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