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December 2, 2015

Pentagon: More U.S. Special Ops Being Deployed to Iraq and Syria 
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Pentagon officials have announced the U.S. is deploying more special
operations troops to Iraq and Syria. Speaking to Congress Tuesday,
Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said the U.S. special forces are
authorized to conduct raids, gather intelligence, free hostages and
capture members of ISIS. He also said the troops would conduct
unilateral operations inside Syria. Facing questions from Virginia
Republican Rep. Randy Forbes, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General
Joseph Dunford acknowledged the U.S. is not technically at war in Iraq
or Syria, even as the military ramps up combat operations.

Randy Forbes: "You heard the Secretary of Defense say both in writing
and verbally that we are at war. Who declared that war?"

Joseph Dunford: "I think what the secretary is saying, because we
discussed this, is that we view the fight against ISIL as a threat to
the United States and we are mobilizing all of the military capabilities
that are necessary—"

Randy Forbes: "Who would have actually made a declaration? Is that
something that you would make?"

Joseph Dunford: "Congress."

Randy Forbes: "Has a declaration been made?"

Joseph Dunford: "No, it has not."

Randy Forbes: "So how does the secretary say we're at war? I only have
five minutes."

Ashton Carter "I'm just going to tell you—"

Randy Forbes: "I would ask if he wants to elaborate, he can submit
written statements, but he is taking my five minutes. General, can you
tell me as the joint Chiefs, if you know?"

Joseph Dunford: "We are technically not at war."

 

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