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McConnell Recommends 'Safe Zones' In Syria

AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite
In this April 7, 2017, photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., talks to reporters before the vote to confirm President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch, on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is repeating a call for so-called “safe zones” within Syria to help stem the flow of refugees out of the country.

McConnell has applauded the Trump administration’s airstrikes in Syria, saying they send a message to the country’s president that use of chemical weapons won’t be tolerated. But President Trump has also taken a hard line on Syrian refugees – including the country in both of his executive ordered travel bans.

Asked about allowing more Syrian refugees into the United States Wednesday, McConnell put the focus on solving the crisis within Syria’s borders.

"There are already big refugee camps in Jordan and in Turkey, and we know there's been refugee overflow into Europe, which has had a big impact on European politics. If we really want to deal with the refugee issue - refugees only run because they're afraid they're going to get killed - that would require I think the establishment of one or more safe zones inside Syria, so people can take their families somewhere and feel comfortable they're going to be safe," McConnell said.

Trump recently signaled a change of attitude toward the conflict, calling Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad’s actions “heinous.”

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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