Sat Dec 07 17:07:15 UTC 2024: ## Trump Declares US Should Withdraw From Syrian Civil War
**Washington, D.C. –** President-elect Donald Trump has announced a complete withdrawal of US involvement in the Syrian civil war, signaling a dramatic shift in US foreign policy. In a social media post on Saturday, Trump declared that the US “should have nothing to do” with the conflict, urging a hands-off approach.
Trump’s statement comes amidst a major offensive by opposition forces in Syria, which have made significant territorial gains, capturing several government-held cities and nearing the capital, Damascus. He described the offensive as “unprecedented” and predicted the potential ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
However, Trump’s announcement raises concerns about the fate of the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition that controls a significant portion of Syrian territory. The post made no mention of the SDF or the approximately 1,000 US troops currently stationed in Syria.
The President-elect’s decision aligns with his “America First” platform, prioritizing domestic concerns over international commitments. He criticized the previous Obama administration’s involvement in Syria, accusing President Obama of failing to uphold his “red line” regarding the use of chemical weapons.
While the outgoing Biden administration recently conducted air strikes in Syria, described as self-defense measures, Pentagon officials emphasized these were not indicative of broader engagement in the conflict.
Experts suggest that Trump’s decision may be influenced by pressure from Turkey, which views the SDF as a terrorist threat and desires a US withdrawal to facilitate its own actions against the Kurds. The potential consequences of a complete US withdrawal on the Syrian conflict and regional stability remain to be seen. Trump is set to assume office on January 20th.
First Piper 