Davis, Kinzinger Call For Air Strikes Against Sunni Forces In Iraq

Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Taylorville) is joining with fellow Illinois Republican Adam Kinzinger (R-Channahon) in calling on the president to order “limited” air and drone strikes against radical Sunni forces in Iraq.

Kinzinger says if those forces are able to take Baghdad, they would be able to promote terrorism across the Middle East.

"It is time for President Obama to order air and drone strikes against ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) forces, and deploy special operations teams to work with our Iraqi allies to strategically strike the enemy where they are most vulnerable," said Kinzinger in a news release. "The President has missed this opportunity before, and it is time he learns from his mistakes before it is too late.”

Meanwhile, Davis is basing his case for ordering air strikes on news reports that Iraqi citizens are answering calls from Shiite religious leaders to take up arms and help defend their country.

"These aren’t just Iraqi  soldiers, Iraqi policemen", said Davis. "These are everyday Iraqis that are taking up arms against these terrorists who are coming in to try to control their country.  I think that’s something that the American people value. They value that patriotism. And to be able to provide that airpower, I think that’s something the American public would support."

Davis specifies he is not calling for sending U-S ground troops back into battle in Iraq. President Obama also says the U-S won’t send troops to Iraq. But he said Friday that he’s asked his national security team to prepare a range of other options to review in the coming days.