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Syria conflict: Trump's withdrawal plan shocks allies | Syria conflict: Trump's withdrawal plan shocks allies |
(about 1 hour later) | |
President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw all US troops from Syria has been met with heavy criticism. | President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw all US troops from Syria has been met with heavy criticism. |
Mr Trump made the announcement on Wednesday, asserting that the Islamic State (IS) group had been defeated. | Mr Trump made the announcement on Wednesday, asserting that the Islamic State (IS) group had been defeated. |
But major allies, including senior Republicans and foreign powers, have disputed the claim and say the move could lead to a resurgence of IS. | But major allies, including senior Republicans and foreign powers, have disputed the claim and say the move could lead to a resurgence of IS. |
US troops have helped rid much of Syria's north-east of the jihadist group, but pockets of fighters remain. | US troops have helped rid much of Syria's north-east of the jihadist group, but pockets of fighters remain. |
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is one of Mr Trump's supporters, called the withdrawal decision a "huge Obama-like mistake". | Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who is one of Mr Trump's supporters, called the withdrawal decision a "huge Obama-like mistake". |
And the UK government pushed back on the president's assurance that IS had now been defeated. | And the UK government pushed back on the president's assurance that IS had now been defeated. |
The Pentagon said it was transitioning to the "next phase of the campaign" to eliminate IS but did not provide further details. | The Pentagon said it was transitioning to the "next phase of the campaign" to eliminate IS but did not provide further details. |
President Trump, who has long promised to pull American troops out of Syria, said on Twitter that it was time to bring them home after their "historic victories". | President Trump, who has long promised to pull American troops out of Syria, said on Twitter that it was time to bring them home after their "historic victories". |
What has the reaction been? | What has the reaction been? |
Senator Graham, who sits on the armed services committee, warned that the withdrawal would have "devastating consequences" both in Syria and beyond. | Senator Graham, who sits on the armed services committee, warned that the withdrawal would have "devastating consequences" both in Syria and beyond. |
He said that he feared it would mean ceding influence in the region to Russia and Iran. | He said that he feared it would mean ceding influence in the region to Russia and Iran. |
"An American withdrawal at this time would be a big win for ISIS [IS], Iran, Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and Russia," he said in a statement. | |
Meanwhile, the UK government distanced itself from President Trump's assertion that IS had now been defeated. | Meanwhile, the UK government distanced itself from President Trump's assertion that IS had now been defeated. |
"Much remains to be done and we must not lose sight of the threat they pose," a statement from the Foreign Office said. | "Much remains to be done and we must not lose sight of the threat they pose," a statement from the Foreign Office said. |
Israel said it had been told the US had "other ways to have influence in the area" but would "study the timeline [of the withdrawal], how it will be done and of course the implications for us". | Israel said it had been told the US had "other ways to have influence in the area" but would "study the timeline [of the withdrawal], how it will be done and of course the implications for us". |
Striking a different tone, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the US decision could result in "genuine, real prospects for a political settlement" in Syria. | Striking a different tone, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the US decision could result in "genuine, real prospects for a political settlement" in Syria. |
US allies concerned | US allies concerned |
By James Robbins, diplomatic correspondent, BBC News | By James Robbins, diplomatic correspondent, BBC News |
The British government is stopping just short - at least in public - of condemning President Trump's decision to pull US forces out of Syria. | The British government is stopping just short - at least in public - of condemning President Trump's decision to pull US forces out of Syria. |
It said that IS remains a threat despite the "important advances" that have been made in recent days. | It said that IS remains a threat despite the "important advances" that have been made in recent days. |
In Syria, Kurdish forces fighting IS feel abandoned, just as Turkey is vowing to step up attacks against the Kurds. | In Syria, Kurdish forces fighting IS feel abandoned, just as Turkey is vowing to step up attacks against the Kurds. |
And the most powerful allies of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, Russia and Iran, are pleased by the decision. | And the most powerful allies of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, Russia and Iran, are pleased by the decision. |
They hope it will mean they can increase their power in Syria and beyond. | They hope it will mean they can increase their power in Syria and beyond. |
What is the US presence in Syria? | What is the US presence in Syria? |
Some 2,000 US troops have largely been stationed in the Kurdish region in northern Syria. | Some 2,000 US troops have largely been stationed in the Kurdish region in northern Syria. |
A partnership with an alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, is credited with playing a major role in the virtual elimination of IS after it overran large swathes of Syria four years ago. | A partnership with an alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters, known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, is credited with playing a major role in the virtual elimination of IS after it overran large swathes of Syria four years ago. |
However, the militant group has not disappeared entirely. | However, the militant group has not disappeared entirely. |
A recent US report said there were still as many as 14,000 IS militants in Syria and even more in neighbouring Iraq - and there is a fear they will shift to guerrilla tactics in an attempt to rebuild their network. | A recent US report said there were still as many as 14,000 IS militants in Syria and even more in neighbouring Iraq - and there is a fear they will shift to guerrilla tactics in an attempt to rebuild their network. |
But the partnership between the US and the Kurds has enraged neighbouring Turkey, which views the Kurdish YPG militia - the main fighting force in the SDF - as an extension of a banned Kurdish group fighting for autonomy in Turkey. | But the partnership between the US and the Kurds has enraged neighbouring Turkey, which views the Kurdish YPG militia - the main fighting force in the SDF - as an extension of a banned Kurdish group fighting for autonomy in Turkey. |
On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country might soon start a new military operation against the YPG in Syria. | On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country might soon start a new military operation against the YPG in Syria. |
Mr Erdogan added that he had discussed his plan with Mr Trump by telephone and that he had given a "positive response". | Mr Erdogan added that he had discussed his plan with Mr Trump by telephone and that he had given a "positive response". |