Trump declares victory over ISIS, to order total withdrawal of US troops from Syria

Source: Washington Examiner | December 19, 2018 | Jamie McIntyre

President Trump has decided to order a rapid withdrawal of all U.S. ground troops from Syria, where they have been assisting local Kurdish and Arab forces fighting ISIS, according to several reports.

There are currently some 2,000 U.S. troops in Syria as part of Operation Roundup, the final push to eliminate ISIS is in its final stages. A defense official as saying the withdrawal is expected to occur as quickly as possible.

After the reports were published, Trump took to Twitter to declare: “We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.”

……..

The Pentagon did not immediately confirm the reports. “At this time, we continue to work by, with and through our partners in the region,” said Col. Robert Manning, a Pentagon spokesman on Wednesday.

A routine statement from the U.S. Central Command issued Wednesday morning made no mention of any change in policy, and noted the U.S.-backed offensive against ISIS is not finished.

……..

The U.S. recently established observation posts in northeastern Syria in a move the reassure NATO ally Turkey that there was no threat from some members of the Kurdish YPG, which Turkey has labeled terrorists.

An earlier report from the Wall Street Journal said the U.S. military was preparing to withdraw its forces from northeastern Syria, following a call last week between President Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan this week threatened to launch an assault on Kurdish troops backed by the U.S.

If the plan is to withdraw all U.S. ground troops, it would mark a sharp reversal from statements made in September by national security adviser John Bolton, who said the U.S. would stay in Syria as a counterweight to the Iranian presence there.

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  • Discussion
  • Consistent December 19, 2018 at 11:03 am #26904

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 11:40 am #26908

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 11:40 am #26909

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 11:40 am #26910

    EVERYDAY December 19, 2018 at 12:14 pm #26913

    Just like his declaration that we no longer have to worry about North Korea nuking us.

    ISIS has not been defeated.

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 5:11 pm #26918

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 6:22 pm #26919

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 10:54 pm #26928

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 10:55 pm #26929

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 10:57 pm #26930

    Consistent December 19, 2018 at 11:04 pm #26932

    EVERYDAY December 19, 2018 at 11:50 pm #26934

    I’ve been reading some speculation that Defense Secretary Mattis is on his way out. According to the story, Mattis had been advocating the troops remain in Syria and he, along with the other generals, were blindsided by Trump’s withdrawal announcement.

    Christina Wilkie may be on to something. This is a reckless decision to create a distraction from all the other crises swirling around Trump. Obviously, he doesn’t care who will die as a result of what boils down to his own selfishness.

    ConservativeGranny December 20, 2018 at 4:30 pm #26950

    Claiming that the death of US troops was “bothering” him was the lowest of the low of anything Trump has ever said. Is he not bothered by the death of US troops elsewhere? Why only in Syria. This lie is so disgusting.

    Consistent December 21, 2018 at 1:23 am #26965

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