Grayson Asks Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Other Nations For Multilateral Forces To Fight ISIS

Press Release

House Foreign Affairs Committee Member Congressman Alan Grayson (FL-09) wants to know if any of Iraq's regional neighbors would be willing each to commit 5,000 soldiers or more to a multilateral force, in an effort to fight and defeat ISIS in Iraq. Grayson sent inquiries to the U.S. Ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Yemen, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Algeria, and Morocco today.

"Right now, there is no clear plan that would lead to the military defeat of ISIS in Iraq," Grayson explained. "I think that some plan is better than no plan, particularly if it means that we could avoid U.S. military intervention. If these nations band together to create a multinational force, they could defeat ISIS, and they could do it without U.S. military intervention. This plan would put troops in the field who share the same religion as the local population, can (in most cases) speak the same language, and understand the local culture, rather than troops that would be perceived as a hostile occupying force."

Grayson's letter, which requests a response by Wednesday, September 10th, reads, in-part:

"I would like to know whether your nation would be willing to contribute a substantial military force of at least 5,000 soldiers to a multilateral, regional force to fight and defeat ISIS forces within Iraq, subject to the consent of the Government of Iraq."

Grayson also wrote Iraqi Ambassador and asked whether the country would accept or reject such soldiers to fight ISIS. Congressman Alan Grayson represents Florida's 9th Congressional District, which includes Osceola County, as well as parts of Orange and Polk counties. He previously served as the U.S. Representative for Florida's 8th Congressional District in the 111th Congress.

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