Rep. Michael Waltz, a combat-decorated Green Beret, Thursday rejected Trump administration claims that ISIS has been defeated, while commenting on a terrorist bombing that claimed U.S. troops' lives in Syria on Wednesday.
"I think it's been defeated as a caliphate and I think they deserve credit for taking the handcuffs off the military," the Florida Republican told CNN's "New Day." "But it's not defeated as a movement at all. It's not defeated in Syria and Iraq. They're going to go to ground and wage guerilla warfare."
The United States must "keep our foot on their neck," he added. "Frankly, if these leaders, terrorist leaders are more worried bout where they're sleeping at night, they can't plot and plan to attack the United States and Europe and wreak havoc on the region."
There are several other reasons to stay engaged in Syria against ISIS, said Waltz.
"I don't think Turkey at the end of the day sees ISIS as a priority," said Waltz. "They see the Kurds as a priority. Iran is dominating the region. We have to keep in mind Israel our ally."
Russia and the Assad regime in Syria, which is "absolutely murderous" also remain a concern, and the United States' investment of a few thousand troops is "worth noting," the lawmaker added.
Waltz said he also is concerned that ISIS may have become emboldened by Trump's comments about pulling out troops, because even if the announcement does not lead to tactical moves, "strategically, they now know they can wait us out."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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