Trump Announces Withdrawal From Syria

The Trump administration is reportedly withdrawing American troops from Syria, a move that is resulting in blowback from Trump’s fellow Republicans.

The move has been reported in several news outlets, such as The Wall Street Journal and CNN, and seemingly supported by Trump’s morning tweet: “We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.”

We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018

The move comes after a recent phone call Trump had with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan:

Trump and Erdogan talk last Friday. Since then:

– US clears the sale of Patriot missiles to Turkey
– US starts pulling troops out of Syria
– US gives State personnel 24 hours to leave Syria

That's one hell of a phone call

— Dave Brown (@dave_brown24) December 19, 2018

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) were among the Republicans who stated their opposition to the move:

My statement on the United States' decision to withdraw troops from Syria: https://t.co/nAH4S9gMgF pic.twitter.com/izbla14DgP

— Senator Rubio Press (@SenRubioPress) December 19, 2018

With all due respect, ISIS is not defeated in Syria, Iraq, and after just returning from visiting there — certainly not Afghanistan.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 19, 2018

President @realDonaldTrump is right to want to contain Iranian expansion.

However, withdrawal of our forces in Syria mightily undercuts that effort and put our allies, the Kurds at risk.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 19, 2018

U.S. forces had been partnered with the armed Kurdish forces in Syria in fighting against ISIS; Erdogan stated his desire to attack those Kurdish forces on Dec. 12.

There had been 2,000 American troops in Syria.