The U.S. lacks intelligence in the terrorist hotspots of Yemen and Syria, limiting the military’s ability to respond to the Islamic State, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee warned Sunday.
“The problem is that we’re not going to have any intelligence in Yemen,” said Michael McCaul, a Republican who represents Texas. “Yemen is one of the most dangerous spots in the world.”
The U.S. removed the last of its military presence in Yemen Saturday following the deterioration of stability in the region amid fighting between groups linked with the Islamic State, Iran, and al Qaeda. The Islamic State took responsibility for suicide bombings in the capital Friday that killed and wounded hundreds at prayer in mosques.
McCaul said in an interview with ABC Sunday morning that the U.S. no longer has human intelligence in Yemen. “If you don’t have that intelligence on the ground, how do you know who to hit, and where and when?” he asked.
The congressman also predicted that the Islamic State would gain support from terrorist groups previously aligned with al Qaeda as it gains influence in Northern Africa, and called for a more direct approach to taking on the Islamic State.
“We have no intelligence in Syria, which is a major problem,” McCaul said. “We have to get more aggressive in taking out [the Islamic State] where they exist, and the head of the snake is in Iraq and Syria.”
