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SYRIA-CONFLICT-US-MILITARY
Around 200 US troops to remain in Syria after pullout: W.House
WASHINGTON, Feb 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The US military will keep around 200
troops in Syria after President Donald Trump’s pullout from the war-torn
country, the White House said Thursday.
“A small peace-keeping group of about 200 will remain in Syria for a period
of time,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said.
The announcement comes amid fierce criticism of Trump’s decision to
withdraw America’s 2,000 or so troops from Syria by April 30, with members of
his own Republican Party blasting the move.
In December, Trump declared victory over the Islamic State in Syria, even
though thousands of jihadists remain and fighting continues around their last
holdout.
Critics have decried a number of possible outcomes from a precipitous
withdrawal, including a Turkish attack on US-backed Kurdish forces and a
resurgence of IS.
Sanders did not provide additional details, but the troops’ “peace-keeping”
designation could pave the way for European allies to commit forces for such
a mission.
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan visited Europe last week where he
attempted to convince allies to maintain a troop presence in Syria after the
US pulls out.
But he struggled to persuade other countries why they should risk their
forces with America gone.
Trump earlier Thursday spoke with Turkish President Recep Erdogan, and the
two men discussed Syria, according to a White House summary.
“The two presidents agreed to continue coordinating on the creation of a
potential safe zone” in Syria, the readout said.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0812 hrs