The Pentagon confirmed on Monday that the US is engaging in an official withdrawal of forces from northeastern Syria. This comes after President Trump issued such an order over the weekend.
It’s not clear how long this withdrawal will take. Defense Secretary Mark Esper attributed the move to “Turkey’s irresponsible actions” putting troops at risk. Indications are, however, that US troops still held positions on Monday, including on the highway between Manbij and Kobane.
In addition to the troop withdrawal, officials announced a diplomatic team working on stabilization operations has also withdrawn from this part of Syria, It’s unclear how big this diplomatic team was.
So far, the 1,000 troops withdrawn from northeastern Syria are still in the country, though analysts have suggested it is likely the US will ultimately withdraw from Syria. There has been no official announcement to that effect, however.
In the statement accompanying his executive order, President Trump said that troops leaving Syria will “redeploy and remain in the region” to prevent the return of ISIS. He did not indicate where the troops would be going, though Iraq or Kuwait are the most likely destinations.
What exactly were US “diplomats” doing in Syria?
Of course, having accreditation with Kurdish president and parliament in Kobane.
“US Troops, Diplomats Withdraw From Northeast Syria””
This should read
US Troops and their CIA handlers withdraw.
Run, rats, run. Yer pants on fire. Here come the terrible Turks.
By what right are thousands of US troops in Syria, in defiance of its government? That is the crime of aggressive war, a very serious crime.
Why do our troops only move when shells are falling on them? Orders don’t move them. They stubbornly defy civilian orders. They move only when war over runs them and their own government won’t accept yet another new war.
The base at Manbij is not a small one. It was meant to deter Syrian Army — just outside Manbij, from getting in.
The reporters from RT Arabic were at the site. It has been abandoned in a hurry, as tents are full of personal possessions.
The report was in Arabic, and I heard word Al-Qaeda repeated over and over. Until it dawned on me that it means “base” in Arabic.