WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement on the announcement that U.S. Special Forces will soon be deployed to Syria.

“After a series of hearings and meetings this week, including with Secretary Kerry and General Allen, I continue to support targeted airstrikes and training, in conjunction with our coalition partners, along with the arming of vetted opposition forces, as methods to alter the regional dynamics. I continue to oppose authorizing any level of U.S. troops on the ground in Syria and I am greatly concerned that even a small number of Special Forces units could escalate into something broader and more long term. I support a negotiated political solution to end this brutal conflict, as it remains clear that there is no military solution.  I disagree with the continued reliance on the 2001 authorization for the use of military force, which was passed in the wake of the 9-11 attacks to specifically counter Al Qaeda.  The continued reliance on the 9-11 AUMF to counter new and growing threats is not warranted.”