Republicans Criticize Trump's Syria Plan: "An Irresponsible Step"

The latest Syrian decision by President Donald Trump means according to the US government no withdrawal of American troops from the country. A senior government official said Monday in Washington that only about 50 soldiers from the border area between Turkey and Syria would be relocated to other military locations.

"That means no withdrawal from Syria," he said. It is only about the protection of a "comparatively small number" of US soldiers. They should not be in danger of being "hurt, killed or captured" if the Turkish military crosses the border and starts fighting with the Kurds in northern Syria.

The withdrawal of these forces from northern Syria was by no means "green light" for the Turks to commit a massacre of the Kurds, he emphasized on demand. If Ankara does so, the US would destroy the Turkish economy. That made Trump clear.

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Trump's Syria foray guarantee endless strife

The White House said on Sunday that US forces would not participate in a planned offensive by Turkey in northern Syria and would no longer be "in the immediate area" in the future. At dawn on Monday, US troops began withdrawing there, as spokesman for the Kurdish militia-dominated Syrian Democratic forces confirmed.

The move caused irritation and concern both in the US and internationally. Trump was accused, even from within his own ranks, of abandoning the Kurdish militia in northern Syria. The YPG Kurdish militias were close associates of the US in the fight against the terrorist militia "Islamic State" (IS). They are the target of the Turkish offensive: Turkey sees in the YPG, which controls territories at the border, a terrorist organization.

NICHOLAS KAMM / AFP

US Senator Lindsey Graham: He warns of a looming "disaster" for US foreign policy

• The influential Republican Senator Lindsey Graham , a loyal Trump supporter, spoke of a "shortsighted and irresponsible" move, warning of a looming "disaster" on US foreign policy. Graham said a withdrawal of US troops would be a victory for Iran, Syria's ruler Bashar al-Assad and IS.
• Mitch McConnell , Republican Senate Majority Leader, said a hasty retreat would play into the hands of Russia, Iran, Assad and the IS. McConnell called on Trump to "exercise American leadership."
• "We always have to support our allies if we expect them to support us," said Nikki Haley , Trump's former UN ambassador. The Kurds had contributed significantly to the successful fight against IS in Syria. "Letting her die now is a big mistake."

We must always have the backs of our allies, if we expect them to have our back. The Kurds were instrumental in our successful fight against ISIS in Syria. Leaving them to the is a big mistake. #TurkeyIsNotOurFriend

After this massive criticism of the announced withdrawal of US troops from the Syrian-Turkish border region Trump said on Monday a threat to Ankara, but also raised questions. "If Turkey does anything that I consider taboo in my great and incomparable wisdom, I will completely destroy and annihilate the Turkish economy," Trump tweeted - without making it clear what he would consider a violation.

Later, he added that Turkey would have "big problems" if US nationals were injured in Syria. He denied that he had sided with Erdogan in the conflict. "I'm not on anyone's side."

Trump told the White House that he understood both the advocates and the critics of the retreat. If the US troops stayed there, it was unclear when they could ever be withdrawn. Trump said the retreated troops were only 50 US soldiers. "I do not want you to be in a bad or compromising position."

As I have read, I am very happy to be back, if I do not like it, I want to learn more about it. , They must, with Europe and others, watch over ...

At the moment it does not look as if Turkey will refrain from its planned military offensive. On the night of Tuesday, the Department of Defense said preparations for a possible military operation in Syria had been completed.

Turkish news agency Anadolu quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy as saying that Turkey was determined to drive terrorists east of the Euphrates River to secure its own survival and establish a safe zone. "This will eliminate a serious threat to the territorial integrity and unity of Syria." In addition, a strong foundation will be created to prevent the return of IS terrorists and similar problems in the future.

The aim of Turkey is to set up a zone in northern Syria along the border with Turkey under its own control. Turkey calls them either "security zone" or "peace zone". The zone is to extend from the Euphrates to the east to the Iraqi border.