This is just under two hours. [inaudible] we think our distinguished witness for being here today. We regret the Defense Department was unable to send a witness. This is a second hearing on the searing conflict. An issue that has been raised during many meetings. For the 4000 people have been killed in the searing conflict. Within 12 me million are displaced. The assad regime bears overwhelming responsibility for the extremism. None of this wouldve been possible without the support of iran and russia, both intervened to extend influence in the region and country the u. S. And its partners. With the support of u. S. And Coalition Partners, the searing Democratic Forces succeeded in sweeping isis out of raqqa in october. Despite losing territory, isis remains a major threat. Theres also the danger proposed by affiliates which maintain significant influence and opposition controlled areas. Its worth highlighting to developments. The u. S. , russian jordan signed a memorandum of principles
[inaudible conversations] come to order. Thanks to our distinguished witness the Defense Department was unable to discern day witness this is our second hearing on the syrianis conflict an issue that has been raised from many other meetings. 400,000 have thousand have been killed in the syrian conflict of 12 million nearly half are displaced in the asad regime bears overwhelming responsibility. But none of this would have been possible without the support of iran andnd russia with the u. S. In the partners with the support the Syrian Democratic forces so despite that territory. Also that ongoing danger. To maintain significant influence it is worth highlighting two recent developments u. S. And russia to sign a memorandum to maintain those arrangements in southwest area. And to deep in the hole potentially exacerbating the conflict of sectarian nature and then threatening our ally was israel. And the regime has pummeled the damascus suburb which is the socalled deescalation zones killi
Roughly half of all syrians, are displaced and the assad regime bears overwhelming responsibility for this destruction and extremism it has spawned. However, none of this would have been possible without the support of iran and russia, both of which intervened on assads behalf to extend influence in a region and counter the u. S. And its partners. With the support of the u. S. And Coalition Partners, the Syrian Democratic forces succeeded in sweeping isis out of raqqah in october. Of course, despite losing much of its territory in syria and iraq, isis remains a major threat. And theres also the ongoing danger posed by al qaeda, syria, and affiliates which maintain significant influence in oppositioncontrolled areas. So its worth highlighting two recent developments. First, the u. S. , russia, and jordan signed a memorandum of principles on november 8 maintaining the administrative arrangements in oppositionheld areas in southwest syria. Yet iran and its proxies have deepened their foot