Kerry seeks authority to target Islamic State affiliates anywhere
The secretary of state says IS affiliates would be considered as terrorist associates covered by a use of force authorization.
Secretary of State John Kerry asked Congress for a green light to go after Islamic State affiliates anywhere in the world as debate on a new authorization for use of force got underway Tuesday.
Kerry asked the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to give President Barack Obama the "clear mandate and flexibility he needs" to defeat the Islamic State (IS). He said the authorization should be "limited to that group and forces associated with it," later clarifying that groups that have pledged allegiance to IS would fall under that heading.
"It would be terrible to send a message to these guys [that] ‘you’ve got a safe haven over here, you’ve got a safe haven over here,'" Kerry told the committee. "This is bigger than just … Iraq and Syria."
The statement raised concerns with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
