ISTANBUL (WATE) - Sen. Bob Corker traveled to the Middle East this week to meet with Syrian rebels and opposition leaders about the conflict in their country.
Estimates put the death toll in that country as high as 20,000 as President Bashar Assad's regime tries to quiet its opponents.
This week, Sen. Corker met with Turkish officials to observe their role in the humanitarian efforts in the area. He also traveled to the Syria-Turkey border to talk with Syrian rebels about their needs.
Earlier this year, Corker called on the White House to issue a report about the on-going conflict.
In a release on Saturday, Corker issued the following statement:
"I just visited the border between Turkey and Syria and met with various groups representing the Syrian opposition and refugees," said Corker. "Hearing the stories of what is happening every day to ordinary citizens in Syria challenges the most basic American sensibilities.
"I was also able to witness firsthand the outstanding humanitarian work Turkey's government is performing in the refugee camps, and I hope that the ongoing bilateral meetings on Syria between the United States government and Turkey will bear significant results.
"On one hand, there is much discussion here about the U.S. arming the Free Syrian Army to deal with Syrian aircraft, and, while that may end up being the right course of action, their current loose alignment and lack of cohesiveness could make it a very problematic decision in the long run if Assad's fall no longer gives common purpose to their efforts. On the other hand, the longer that the conflict goes on, the more lives will be destroyed and the greater the risk that the opposition becomes radicalized.
"Determining the proper role for further U.S. involvement without committing ourselves to another long-term entanglement or fueling a greater conflict that destabilizes the region must be our goal."
During his trip, Sen. Corker also met with Egyptian officials.
Sen. Corker meets with Syrian opposition leaders.
