Trump saw fit to alert Russia, not Congress — Democrats

Washington, Oct.28 (IANS): Demanding a briefing on the US raid in northern Syria in which Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi was killed, top Democrat leaders have criticised President Donald Trump for taking Russia into confidence, but not the Congress, reports said. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in a statement on Sunday night, said: “The House must be briefed on this raid, which the Russians but not top Congressional Leadership were notified of in advance, and on the Administration’s overall strategy in the region.” She lauded “the heroism, dedication and skill of our military and our intelligence professionals and acknowledge the work of our partners in the region”, but also that the US military and allies deserve “strong, smart and strategic leadership from Washington”. Pelosi, however, stressed “the death of this ISIS leader does not mean the death of ISIS”. “Scores of ISIS fighters remain under uncertain conditions in Syrian prisons, and countless others in the region and around the world remain intent on spreading their influence and committing acts of terror.”