US Use of Military Force Against IS Should Allow for Time Extension: Kerry

WASHINGTON, December 10 (Sputnik) — The Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) that gives the US president the authority to use military force during times of conflict, should include a provision that would allow the United States to extend its fight against Islamic State (IS), despite a potential time limitation, US Secretary of State John Kerry said.

"We can be sure that this confrontation is not going to be over quickly as the president and I have said many times…we understand however, the desire of many to avoid a completely open ended authorization," Kerry said during a US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing Tuesday. "We support that proposal [on time limitation], but we support it subject to a provision that we should work through together that provides for extension in the event that circumstances require it."

During the hearing, Democratic Senator of New Jersey Robert Menendez expressed his concerns with having no time restrictions on the AUMF, and said that it should be limited to at least three years. Menendez added, that if the president needed more time to fight against IS, that he should ask Congress for permission.

Secretary Kerry stressed the need for Congress to provide a provision that would allow for an extension on the AUMF if there are time limitations on it and if IS is still a threat to the US at that time.

Menendez and Kerry both discussed the importance of bipartisanship in crafting an AUMF that would continue the United States and its international coalition's fight against IS, before Congress leaves for good in the coming weeks.

Lawmakers from both parties have argued that US President Barack Obama lacks legal authority to fight against IS, but need to vote on an AUMF by the end of the week that would further authorize the United States to fight against IS.

The IS, otherwise known ISIS or ISIL, has been fighting against the Syrian government since 2012. In June 2014, the group began extending its attacks into northern and western Iraq and declared a caliphate on the territories under their control. To fight the insurgency, a US-led international coalition of over 60 states is currently conducting airstrikes against IS targets both on Iraqi and Syrian territory.