Syrian troops deployed in support of Kurdish forces around a strategic northern city on Friday, in a shift of alliances hastened by last week's announcement of a US military withdrawal.

Nearly eight years into Syria's deadly conflict, the move marked another key step in President Bashar al-Assad's Russian-backed drive to reassert control over the country.

The Syrian army announced that it had raised the flag in Manbij, a strategic city close to the Turkish border where Kurdish forces have been deployed since 2016 and where US-led coalition forces are also stationed.

A military spokesman said in a televised announcement that the army would be bent on "crushing terrorism and defeating all invaders and occupiers".

More than 300 government forces deployed in the Manbij area, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Nura al-Hamed, deputy head of the Manbij local authority, told AFP that the regime deployment was the result of Russian-sponsored negotiations.

"The regime forces will not enter the city of Manbij itself but will deploy on the demarcation line" with Turkish-backed Syrian groups, she said.

Hamed said that US and French coalition forces stationed there remained at their positions and continued to conduct patrols.

The US military said the Syrian army had not entered the city itself.

"Despite incorrect information about changes to the military forces in Manbij city, (the US-led coalition) has seen no indication of these claims being true," US Central Command spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Earl Brown said.

Kurdish shift

The Syrian army's deployment creates a regime buffer arching across northern Syria that fully separates the Turkish army and its proxies from the Kurds.

Turkey reacted to the deployment by warning "all sides to stay away from provocative actions" while a large convoy of its Syrian auxiliaries were seen moving closer to the western edge of Manbij later on Friday.

US President Donald Trump's shock withdrawal announcement last week left the Kurds in the cold.

The People's Protection Units (YPG) have been the backbone of an alliance that has spearheaded the US-backed fight against the Islamic State group in Syria.

They are currently battling the last remnants of the jihadists' once sprawling "caliphate" in the country's far east, near the border with Iraq.

A US withdrawal will leave them exposed to an assault by Turkey, which has thousands of proxy fighters in northern Syria and wants to crush Kurdish forces it considers terrorists.

The Kurds welcomed the regime advance, a pragmatic shift in alliances that will dash their aspirations for autonomy but could help them cut their losses.

"We invite the Syrian government forces... to assert control over the areas our forces have withdrawn from, particularly in Manbij, and to protect these areas against a Turkish invasion," the YPG said in a statement.

After Manbij, the focus is likely to move to Raqa, a mostly Arab city that the Kurds liberated from IS last year and that the regime has vowed to retake.

Turkey said Syrian Kurds "don't have the right" to seek regime help but Russia, the main foreign player in Syria since it intervened to rescue Assad in 2015, hailed the latest development.

"Of course, this will help in stabilising the situation. The enlargement of the zone under the control of government forces... is without doubt a positive trend," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Peskov said the situation would be discussed on Saturday during a visit to Moscow by the Turkish foreign and defence ministers, to "clarify" the situation and "synchronise actions" between the two countries.

This year the regime retook large swathes of territory with the help of Russian firepower, after three years ago controlling less than a third of the country.

Diplomatic drive

The government ousted rebels from their bastions in and around the capital Damascus and flushed out other pockets to reopen key transport and trade routes.

With internal opposition in tatters and UN-backed political negotiations stillborn, Assad is now trying to shed his pariah status and looking for funds to rebuild the country.

The US pullout from Syria risks opening a highway for other regional players such as Turkey and Iran, a prospect that some of Assad's erstwhile foes are keen to counter.

On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates -- a Turkish rival in the region -- reopened its embassy in Damascus, nearly seven years after severing ties and recognising a now defunct opposition umbrella.

The move was the latest in a series of developments building up to the return of Assad's Syria into the Arab fold.

Bahrain also announced it would reopen its mission in Damascus and observers expect regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia to confirm that trend in the coming weeks.

The Arab League has admitted that the reintegration of Syria, which was suspended from the regional body when it intensified its repression of anti-government protests seven years ago, is on the table.

Syrian troops deployed in support of Kurdish forces around a strategic northern city on Friday, in a shift of alliances hastened by last week's announcement of a US military withdrawal.

Syrian troops deployed in support of Kurdish forces around a strategic northern city on Friday, in a shift of alliances hastened by last week's announcement of a US military withdrawal. Nearly eight years into Syria's deadly conflict, the move marked another key step in President Bashar al-Assad's Russian-backed drive to reassert control over the country. The Syrian army announced that it had raised the flag in Manbij, a strategic city close to the Turkish border where Kurdish forces have been deployed since 2016 and where US-led coalition forces are also stationed. A military spokesman said in a televised announcement that the army would be bent on "crushing terrorism and defeating all invaders and occupiers". More than 300 government forces deployed in the Manbij area, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Nura al-Hamed, deputy head of the Manbij local authority, told AFP that the regime deployment was the result of Russian-sponsored negotiations. "The regime forces will not enter the city of Manbij itself but will deploy on the demarcation line" with Turkish-backed Syrian groups, she said. Hamed said that US and French coalition forces stationed there remained at their positions and continued to conduct patrols. The US military said the Syrian army had not entered the city itself. "Despite incorrect information about changes to the military forces in Manbij city, (the US-led coalition) has seen no indication of these claims being true," US Central Command spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Earl Brown said. Kurdish shift The Syrian army's deployment creates a regime buffer arching across northern Syria that fully separates the Turkish army and its proxies from the Kurds. Turkey reacted to the deployment by warning "all sides to stay away from provocative actions" while a large convoy of its Syrian auxiliaries were seen moving closer to the western edge of Manbij later on Friday. US President Donald Trump's shock withdrawal announcement last week left the Kurds in the cold. The People's Protection Units (YPG) have been the backbone of an alliance that has spearheaded the US-backed fight against the Islamic State group in Syria. They are currently battling the last remnants of the jihadists' once sprawling "caliphate" in the country's far east, near the border with Iraq. A US withdrawal will leave them exposed to an assault by Turkey, which has thousands of proxy fighters in northern Syria and wants to crush Kurdish forces it considers terrorists. The Kurds welcomed the regime advance, a pragmatic shift in alliances that will dash their aspirations for autonomy but could help them cut their losses. "We invite the Syrian government forces... to assert control over the areas our forces have withdrawn from, particularly in Manbij, and to protect these areas against a Turkish invasion," the YPG said in a statement. After Manbij, the focus is likely to move to Raqa, a mostly Arab city that the Kurds liberated from IS last year and that the regime has vowed to retake. Turkey said Syrian Kurds "don't have the right" to seek regime help but Russia, the main foreign player in Syria since it intervened to rescue Assad in 2015, hailed the latest development. "Of course, this will help in stabilising the situation. The enlargement of the zone under the control of government forces... is without doubt a positive trend," said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Peskov said the situation would be discussed on Saturday during a visit to Moscow by the Turkish foreign and defence ministers, to "clarify" the situation and "synchronise actions" between the two countries. This year the regime retook large swathes of territory with the help of Russian firepower, after three years ago controlling less than a third of the country. Diplomatic drive The government ousted rebels from their bastions in and around the capital Damascus and flushed out other pockets to reopen key transport and trade routes. With internal opposition in tatters and UN-backed political negotiations stillborn, Assad is now trying to shed his pariah status and looking for funds to rebuild the country. The US pullout from Syria risks opening a highway for other regional players such as Turkey and Iran, a prospect that some of Assad's erstwhile foes are keen to counter. On Thursday, the United Arab Emirates -- a Turkish rival in the region -- reopened its embassy in Damascus, nearly seven years after severing ties and recognising a now defunct opposition umbrella. The move was the latest in a series of developments building up to the return of Assad's Syria into the Arab fold. Bahrain also announced it would reopen its mission in Damascus and observers expect regional heavyweight Saudi Arabia to confirm that trend in the coming weeks. The Arab League has admitted that the reintegration of Syria, which was suspended from the regional body when it intensified its repression of anti-government protests seven years ago, is on the table.

Syrian army claims entering key city Manbij in new alliance with Kurds

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-enters-manbij-in-new-alliance-with-kurds-187070">US commanders</a> planning for the withdrawal of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-claims-entering-key-city-manbij-in-new-alliance-with-kurds-187101">US troops from Syria </a>are recommending that Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State be allowed to keep US-supplied weapons, four US officials said, a move that would likely anger NATO ally Turkey.

Three of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the recommendations were part of discussions on a draft plan by<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-army-not-in-manbij-city-us-military-187071"> the US military</a>. It is unclear what the Pentagon will ultimately recommend to the White House.

Discussions are still at an early stage inside the Pentagon and no decision has yet been made, the officials said. The plan will then be presented to the White House in the coming days with US President Donald Trump making the final decision.

The Pentagon said it would be "inappropriate" and premature to comment on what will happen with the weapons.&nbsp;

"Planning is ongoing, and focused on executing a deliberate and controlled withdrawal of forces while taking all measures possible to ensure our troops'&nbsp;safety," said Commander Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman.

The White House did not comment.&nbsp;

Trump last week abruptly ordered a complete withdrawal of US troops from Syria, drawing widespread criticism and prompting Defense Secretary Jim Mattis'&nbsp;resignation.

The US officials said Trump's announcement has upset US commanders, who view his decision as a betrayal of the Kurdish YPG militia, which has led the fight to eradicate Islamic State from northeastern Syria.

Ankara views the YPG as an extension of a Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey. Turkey has threatened to launch an offensive against the YPG, raising fears of a surge in violence that could harm hundreds of thousands of civilians.&nbsp;

The United States told the YPG that they would be armed by Washington until the fight against Islamic State was completed, one of the US officials said.

"The fight isn't over. We can't simply start asking for the weapons back," said the official.

The proposal to leave US-supplied weapons with the YPG, which could include anti-tank missiles, armoured vehicles and mortars, would reassure Kurdish allies that they were not being abandoned.

But Turkey wants the United States to take the weapons back, so the commanders'&nbsp;recommendation, if confirmed, could complicate Trump's plan to allow Turkey to finish off the fight against Islamic State inside Syria.

The Pentagon keeps records of the weapons it has supplied to the YPG and their chain of custody. But, the US officials said, it would be nearly impossible to locate all of the equipment.

"How are we going to get them back and who is going to take them back?" one of the officials asked.

The debate over whether to leave weapons with the YPG coincides with Trump's national security adviser John Bolton's visit to Turkey and Israel next week for talks on Syria.

In May 2017, the United States started distributing arms and equipment to the YPG for an offensive against Raqqa, the de facto capital of the self-declared caliphate that Islamic State overran in Iraq and Syria in 2014.

The United States told Turkey that it would take back the weapons after the defeat of Islamic State, which has lost all but a few slivers of territory in northeastern Syria.

"The idea that we'd be able to recover them is asinine. So we leave them where they are," said a US&nbsp;official.

A person familiar with the discussions of the US withdrawal plan said the White House and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan would oppose the proposal to allow the YPG to keep its US-supplied weapons.

The recommendation "is a rejection of Trump's policy to withdraw from Syria," said the person, who asked not to be further identified.

Turkey has said weapons supplied to the YPG have in the past ended up in&nbsp;the hands of its Kurdish separatists, and described any weapon given to the insurgents as a threat to Turkey's security.

A phone call between Trump and Erdogan led to the decision to withdraw all US forces from Syria.&nbsp;

In the call two weeks ago, Trump had been expected to deliver a standard warning to the Turkish president over his plan to launch a cross-border attack targeting US-backed Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, US officials said.

Instead, in the course of the conversation, Trump reshaped US policy in the Middle East, abandoning a quarter of Syrian territory and handing Turkey the job of finishing off Islamic State in Syria.

US commanders planning for the withdrawal of US troops from Syria are recommending that Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State be allowed to keep US-supplied weapons, four US officials said, a move that would likely anger NATO ally Turkey.

US commanders planning for the withdrawal of US troops from Syria are recommending that Kurdish fighters battling Islamic State be allowed to keep US-supplied weapons, four US officials said, a move that would likely anger NATO ally Turkey. Three of the officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the recommendations were part of discussions on a draft plan by the US military. It is unclear what the Pentagon will ultimately recommend to the White House. Discussions are still at an early stage inside the Pentagon and no decision has yet been made, the officials said. The plan will then be presented to the White House in the coming days with US President Donald Trump making the final decision. The Pentagon said it would be "inappropriate" and premature to comment on what will happen with the weapons. "Planning is ongoing, and focused on executing a deliberate and controlled withdrawal of forces while taking all measures possible to ensure our troops' safety," said Commander Sean Robertson, a Pentagon spokesman. The White House did not comment. Trump last week abruptly ordered a complete withdrawal of US troops from Syria, drawing widespread criticism and prompting Defense Secretary Jim Mattis' resignation. The US officials said Trump's announcement has upset US commanders, who view his decision as a betrayal of the Kurdish YPG militia, which has led the fight to eradicate Islamic State from northeastern Syria. Ankara views the YPG as an extension of a Kurdish insurgency inside Turkey. Turkey has threatened to launch an offensive against the YPG, raising fears of a surge in violence that could harm hundreds of thousands of civilians. The United States told the YPG that they would be armed by Washington until the fight against Islamic State was completed, one of the US officials said. "The fight isn't over. We can't simply start asking for the weapons back," said the official. The proposal to leave US-supplied weapons with the YPG, which could include anti-tank missiles, armoured vehicles and mortars, would reassure Kurdish allies that they were not being abandoned. But Turkey wants the United States to take the weapons back, so the commanders' recommendation, if confirmed, could complicate Trump's plan to allow Turkey to finish off the fight against Islamic State inside Syria. The Pentagon keeps records of the weapons it has supplied to the YPG and their chain of custody. But, the US officials said, it would be nearly impossible to locate all of the equipment. "How are we going to get them back and who is going to take them back?" one of the officials asked. The debate over whether to leave weapons with the YPG coincides with Trump's national security adviser John Bolton's visit to Turkey and Israel next week for talks on Syria. In May 2017, the United States started distributing arms and equipment to the YPG for an offensive against Raqqa, the de facto capital of the self-declared caliphate that Islamic State overran in Iraq and Syria in 2014. The United States told Turkey that it would take back the weapons after the defeat of Islamic State, which has lost all but a few slivers of territory in northeastern Syria. "The idea that we'd be able to recover them is asinine. So we leave them where they are," said a US official. A person familiar with the discussions of the US withdrawal plan said the White House and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan would oppose the proposal to allow the YPG to keep its US-supplied weapons. The recommendation "is a rejection of Trump's policy to withdraw from Syria," said the person, who asked not to be further identified. Turkey has said weapons supplied to the YPG have in the past ended up in the hands of its Kurdish separatists, and described any weapon given to the insurgents as a threat to Turkey's security. A phone call between Trump and Erdogan led to the decision to withdraw all US forces from Syria. In the call two weeks ago, Trump had been expected to deliver a standard warning to the Turkish president over his plan to launch a cross-border attack targeting US-backed Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, US officials said. Instead, in the course of the conversation, Trump reshaped US policy in the Middle East, abandoning a quarter of Syrian territory and handing Turkey the job of finishing off Islamic State in Syria.

US commanders recommend Kurdish fighters in Syria to go on keeping weapons

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet next week in Brazil with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington prepares to withdraw troops from Syria, the State Department said Thursday.

Pompeo and Netanyahu will meet in Brasilia where both will be attending the New Year's Day inauguration of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing firebrand who has vowed to move Brazil closer to Israel and US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu has met frequently with Pompeo and enjoys a warm relationship with Trump, happy about his withdrawal from a denuclearization deal with Iran and his landmark shift of the US embassy to Jerusalem.

But Netanyahu has for the first time found himself at odds with Trump after the US leader's sudden announcement last week that he will bring home all 2,000 American troops from war-ravaged Syria, where Israel saw Washington's presence as a bulwark against Iran and counterweight to the influence of Russia.

Israel has been measured in its public response, saying it respects Trump's decision, which led to the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria that it says are targeting Iranian forces and their Hezbollah allies.

Trump has said that US troops were solely focused on fighting the Islamic State jihadist group, which he has declared to be "largely defeated."

Pompeo will also meet in Brazil with Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra and afterward fly to Cartagena to hold talks with Colombian President Ivan Duque.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet next week in Brazil with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington prepares to withdraw troops from Syria, the State Department said Thursday.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will meet next week in Brazil with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as Washington prepares to withdraw troops from Syria, the State Department said Thursday. Pompeo and Netanyahu will meet in Brasilia where both will be attending the New Year's Day inauguration of president-elect Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing firebrand who has vowed to move Brazil closer to Israel and US President Donald Trump. Netanyahu has met frequently with Pompeo and enjoys a warm relationship with Trump, happy about his withdrawal from a denuclearization deal with Iran and his landmark shift of the US embassy to Jerusalem. But Netanyahu has for the first time found himself at odds with Trump after the US leader's sudden announcement last week that he will bring home all 2,000 American troops from war-ravaged Syria, where Israel saw Washington's presence as a bulwark against Iran and counterweight to the influence of Russia. Israel has been measured in its public response, saying it respects Trump's decision, which led to the resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in Syria that it says are targeting Iranian forces and their Hezbollah allies. Trump has said that US troops were solely focused on fighting the Islamic State jihadist group, which he has declared to be "largely defeated." Pompeo will also meet in Brazil with Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra and afterward fly to Cartagena to hold talks with Colombian President Ivan Duque.

Pompeo to meet Netanyahu in Brazil after Syria decision

The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus Thursday, the latest sign of efforts to bring the Syrian government back into the Arab fold.

The UAE broke ties with Syria in February 2012, as the repression of nationwide protests demanding regime change was escalating into a devastating war.

Nearly seven years later, the Emirati flag was raised again during a ceremony attended by diplomats and journalists.

An acting charge d'affaires has already started working, an Emirati statement said, stressing that the UAE was "keen to put relations back on their normal track".

It said that the resumption of ties aimed to "support the sovereignty and independence of Syria" and face "the dangers of regional interferences".

Rumours of the Emirati embassy reopening had circulated in recent days as renovation work was spotted getting under way at the building.

A visit to Damascus by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir earlier this month had been interpreted by some observers as a sign of regional efforts to end Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's diplomatic isolation.

Pariah no more?

Syria was suspended from the Arab League in November 2011, as the death toll was escalating and several regional powers bet on Assad's demise.

The conflict has now killed more than 360,000 people.

Assad's seat at the helm, which he inherited from his father in 2000, appeared to be hanging by a thread until Russia's 2015 military intervention turned things around.

Government forces and allied militia have since steadily regained significant ground. They now firmly control the Damascus region and several key trade routes in the country.

The past few days have seen a flurry of diplomatic activity that looks set to continue until the next summit of the Arab League, due in Tunis in March.

"Recent discussions on this issue have not yielded a consensus," Hossam Zaki, the League's deputy secretary general, told reporters in Cairo on Monday.

"This does not rule out a possible change of the Arab position in the future," he added.

Ali Mamluk, Syria's intelligence chief and a key figure in the Assad regime, travelled to Egypt last week on an official visit.

With military operations winding down in several parts of the country and the capital fully secure, Damascus is also working on breaking its physical isolation.

Saudi money

Trade with Jordan resumed in recent weeks after the reopening of a border crossing and Thursday saw the first commercial flight to Tunisia in years.

A Cham Wings Airlines jet completed the first flight between the two countries since 2011.

"This trip is the reopening of tourism links between Syria and Tunisia," Moataz Tarbin, the head of the tourism firm that organised the flight, told AFP.

It is not yet clear if other Arab countries, several of which were accused by Assad of once supporting jihadists and rebels, will follow in the UAE's footsteps.

The UAE is one of six Gulf Cooperation Council nations that took a tough stance on Damascus in 2012 and eventually recognised an opposition umbrella group as the representative of Syria.&nbsp;

Warming up to Assad is seen by some regional powers as a way of luring Syria away from the exclusive regional influence of Iran.

"An Arab role in Syria has become even more necessary to face the regional expansionism of Iran and Turkey," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Twitter.

Tehran has been a staunch supporter of Assad's government and has expanded its military footprint in Syria throughout the course of the conflict.

Last week's announcement by the White House that US troops would be pulled out also cleared the path for Turkey to muscle in on Kurdish areas in northeastern Syria.

US President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that Saudi Arabia, Iran's regional archfoe, had agreed to finance Syria's huge reconstruction needs.

"Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States," Trump said on social media.

The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus Thursday, the latest sign of efforts to bring the Syrian government back into the Arab fold. The UAE broke ties with Syria in February 2012, as the repression of nationwide protests demanding regime change was escalating into a devastating war.

The United Arab Emirates reopened its embassy in Damascus Thursday, the latest sign of efforts to bring the Syrian government back into the Arab fold. The UAE broke ties with Syria in February 2012, as the repression of nationwide protests demanding regime change was escalating into a devastating war. Nearly seven years later, the Emirati flag was raised again during a ceremony attended by diplomats and journalists. An acting charge d'affaires has already started working, an Emirati statement said, stressing that the UAE was "keen to put relations back on their normal track". It said that the resumption of ties aimed to "support the sovereignty and independence of Syria" and face "the dangers of regional interferences". Rumours of the Emirati embassy reopening had circulated in recent days as renovation work was spotted getting under way at the building. A visit to Damascus by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir earlier this month had been interpreted by some observers as a sign of regional efforts to end Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's diplomatic isolation. Pariah no more? Syria was suspended from the Arab League in November 2011, as the death toll was escalating and several regional powers bet on Assad's demise. The conflict has now killed more than 360,000 people. Assad's seat at the helm, which he inherited from his father in 2000, appeared to be hanging by a thread until Russia's 2015 military intervention turned things around. Government forces and allied militia have since steadily regained significant ground. They now firmly control the Damascus region and several key trade routes in the country. The past few days have seen a flurry of diplomatic activity that looks set to continue until the next summit of the Arab League, due in Tunis in March. "Recent discussions on this issue have not yielded a consensus," Hossam Zaki, the League's deputy secretary general, told reporters in Cairo on Monday. "This does not rule out a possible change of the Arab position in the future," he added. Ali Mamluk, Syria's intelligence chief and a key figure in the Assad regime, travelled to Egypt last week on an official visit. With military operations winding down in several parts of the country and the capital fully secure, Damascus is also working on breaking its physical isolation. Saudi money Trade with Jordan resumed in recent weeks after the reopening of a border crossing and Thursday saw the first commercial flight to Tunisia in years. A Cham Wings Airlines jet completed the first flight between the two countries since 2011. "This trip is the reopening of tourism links between Syria and Tunisia," Moataz Tarbin, the head of the tourism firm that organised the flight, told AFP. It is not yet clear if other Arab countries, several of which were accused by Assad of once supporting jihadists and rebels, will follow in the UAE's footsteps. The UAE is one of six Gulf Cooperation Council nations that took a tough stance on Damascus in 2012 and eventually recognised an opposition umbrella group as the representative of Syria. Warming up to Assad is seen by some regional powers as a way of luring Syria away from the exclusive regional influence of Iran. "An Arab role in Syria has become even more necessary to face the regional expansionism of Iran and Turkey," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Twitter. Tehran has been a staunch supporter of Assad's government and has expanded its military footprint in Syria throughout the course of the conflict. Last week's announcement by the White House that US troops would be pulled out also cleared the path for Turkey to muscle in on Kurdish areas in northeastern Syria. US President Donald Trump claimed on Monday that Saudi Arabia, Iran's regional archfoe, had agreed to finance Syria's huge reconstruction needs. "Saudi Arabia has now agreed to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States," Trump said on social media.

UAE reopens Damascus embassy after seven years

The year 2018 saw the retreat of US troops from Syria and the decline of the jihadist militant group ISIS from the country.

President Donald Trump announced the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/syria-troop-withdrawal-is-donald-trump-burying-the-post-war-liberal-world-order-186963">withdrawal of the US troops from Syria</a> on December 19 stating that America had "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country.&nbsp;

The first US troops were deployed in Syria during the Obama administration in 2015 when the militant group was at its peak. The US had set up about 2,000 troops in the country to support local forces fighting the Islamic State.

The troops had never been involved in a direct fight with the militant group unless it was for their self-defence. Since 2015 the forces had been assisting and advising the Kurdish led Syrian Democratic Force (SDF).

The SDF working alongside the US troops have reclaimed most of the territories that were lost to the ISIS.

After seven years of deadly war between the US-led SDF force and other foreign forces, the Islamic State has now been pushed back to the border of the Syrian territories and has lost control over the majority of the area that they once controlled.

The civil&nbsp;war in Syria

Syria fell into a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/opinions/international-community-has-failed-syria-167928&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjsnbKlvMLfAhUKsI8KHaviDoUQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0LihMYnQQnV8TUmMHDGua-">civil war</a> in 2011 following the Arab Spring protest led by the civilians against the unfair government.

The protests turned violent and an armed revolt broke out after some of the protesters took up guns. Several groups were formed inside the country after the civilians faced brutal suppression from the government. A series of arrests and shootings followed the Arab Spring.

The government's brutal crackdown of peaceful protests resulted in an armed revolt against it. Syria was divided into several groups which received aid and support from different foreign groups.

The Bashar al-Assad regime backed by Russia, Iran and Turkey fought against the radical forces. While the US fought alongside the Kurds against them.&nbsp;

The Kurdish forces have been demanding a separate country for themselves. Though the US has never been in favour of the Bashar al-Assad government it did not make much effort to eliminate it from the country because the other alternative against the Assad regime was the Islamic State which the US knew would be even more dangerous.

The current situation

Over the years the civil war in Syria resulted in the killing of over millions of civilians. Syria became a battleground for not only the different internal groups but also global powers such as the US, Russia, Iran and Turkey.

The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pictures-children-become-victims-of-chemical-attack-in-syria-220">civilians were falling victim to the atrocities</a> and armed killing by the Islamic State and also the chemical attack by the Bashar al-Assad led government and the proxy war of the global powers.

Though the Islamic State has lost almost all the territories in the seventh year of the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/photos/syrias-aleppo-before-and-after-136&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjsnbKlvMLfAhUKsI8KHaviDoUQFggPMAQ&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0bUJpfs613iAsu-71IENpQ">deadly war</a>, the militant group still remains&nbsp;a threat. The IS has shown an ability to stage sudden guerrilla attacks despite losing its so-called caliphate.

The government now holds more than half of the country, including its most populous areas, the main cities, coast, the border with Lebanon, most of the border with Jordan, central Syrian desert and the main gas fields.

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias now controls almost all the quarter of Syria east of the Euphrates, including the&nbsp;former&nbsp;IS capital of Raqqa and some of the country’s biggest oil fields.

(With input&nbsp;from agencies)

The year 2018 saw the retreat of US troops from Syria and the decline of the jihadist militant group ISIS from the country. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the US troops from Syria on December 19 stating that America had "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country.

The year 2018 saw the retreat of US troops from Syria and the decline of the jihadist militant group ISIS from the country. President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of the US troops from Syria on December 19 stating that America had "defeated ISIS" in the war-ravaged country. The first US troops were deployed in Syria during the Obama administration in 2015 when the militant group was at its peak. The US had set up about 2,000 troops in the country to support local forces fighting the Islamic State. The troops had never been involved in a direct fight with the militant group unless it was for their self-defence. Since 2015 the forces had been assisting and advising the Kurdish led Syrian Democratic Force (SDF). The SDF working alongside the US troops have reclaimed most of the territories that were lost to the ISIS. After seven years of deadly war between the US-led SDF force and other foreign forces, the Islamic State has now been pushed back to the border of the Syrian territories and has lost control over the majority of the area that they once controlled. The civil war in Syria Syria fell into a civil war in 2011 following the Arab Spring protest led by the civilians against the unfair government. The protests turned violent and an armed revolt broke out after some of the protesters took up guns. Several groups were formed inside the country after the civilians faced brutal suppression from the government. A series of arrests and shootings followed the Arab Spring. The government's brutal crackdown of peaceful protests resulted in an armed revolt against it. Syria was divided into several groups which received aid and support from different foreign groups. The Bashar al-Assad regime backed by Russia, Iran and Turkey fought against the radical forces. While the US fought alongside the Kurds against them. The Kurdish forces have been demanding a separate country for themselves. Though the US has never been in favour of the Bashar al-Assad government it did not make much effort to eliminate it from the country because the other alternative against the Assad regime was the Islamic State which the US knew would be even more dangerous. The current situation Over the years the civil war in Syria resulted in the killing of over millions of civilians. Syria became a battleground for not only the different internal groups but also global powers such as the US, Russia, Iran and Turkey. The civilians were falling victim to the atrocities and armed killing by the Islamic State and also the chemical attack by the Bashar al-Assad led government and the proxy war of the global powers. Though the Islamic State has lost almost all the territories in the seventh year of the deadly war, the militant group still remains a threat. The IS has shown an ability to stage sudden guerrilla attacks despite losing its so-called caliphate. The government now holds more than half of the country, including its most populous areas, the main cities, coast, the border with Lebanon, most of the border with Jordan, central Syrian desert and the main gas fields. The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias now controls almost all the quarter of Syria east of the Euphrates, including the former IS capital of Raqqa and some of the country’s biggest oil fields. (With input from agencies)

2018 marked another bloody year in Syria 

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730">'</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730"> can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730">surprise</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-cant-be-worlds-policeman-trump-defends-syria-pullout-in-surprise-visit-to-iraq-186730"> visit to Iraq</a>

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-delegation-to-travel-to-china-early-in-january-for-trade-talks-186717">US delegation to travel to China early in January for trade talks</a>

A US&nbsp;trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January&nbsp;7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uae-media-release-images-of-princess-latifa-after-reports-of-forcible-return-186745">UAE media releases images of princess Latifa after reports of </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uae-media-release-images-of-princess-latifa-after-reports-of-forcible-return-186745">forcible</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uae-media-release-images-of-princess-latifa-after-reports-of-forcible-return-186745"> return</a>

United Arab Emirates media on Wednesday released images of Princess Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum, following reports in international media that she was forcibly returned after fleeing the Gulf Arab state.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-expands-medical-checks-after-guatemala-boy-dies-mother-in-despair-186747">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-expands-medical-checks-after-guatemala-boy-dies-mother-in-despair-186747"> expands medical checks after Guatemala boy dies; mother 'in despair'</a>

Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US&nbsp;custody this week, the US&nbsp;government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-parliament-formally-sets-april-9-election-date-in-dissolution-vote-186749">Israeli parliament formally sets April 9 election date in dissolution vote</a>

Israel's parliament voted to dissolve itself on Wednesday, formally setting April 9 as the date for an election widely seen as a bid by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to weather potential corruption charges.

'US can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in surprise visit to Iraq President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

'US can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in surprise visit to Iraq President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq. US delegation to travel to China early in January for trade talks A US trade team will travel to Beijing the week of January 7 to hold talks with Chinese officials, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter. UAE media releases images of princess Latifa after reports of forcible return United Arab Emirates media on Wednesday released images of Princess Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed al-Maktoum, following reports in international media that she was forcibly returned after fleeing the Gulf Arab state. US expands medical checks after Guatemala boy dies; mother 'in despair' Migrant children will receive more thorough medical checks after an 8-year-old Guatemalan boy died in US custody this week, the US government said on Wednesday, and his mother expressed grief and despair over his death. Israeli parliament formally sets April 9 election date in dissolution vote Israel's parliament voted to dissolve itself on Wednesday, formally setting April 9 as the date for an election widely seen as a bid by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to weather potential corruption charges.

News brief: Big stories of the day

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-invites-trump-to-visit-turkey-white-house-186256">US troops from Syria</a> and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

Trump made his remarks to reporters after arriving with first lady Melania Trump about 7:16 pm local time at Al Asad airbase in western Iraq on his first trip as president to visit troops stationed abroad.

The president defended his decision to withdraw US troops from neighboring Syria, where some 2,000 soldiers are deployed as part of an international coalition fighting the Islamic State terrorist group, and he said that he was not giving US generals any more extensions of the deployment to continue to degrade the IS and work out the logistics of leaving the Middle Eastern country.

"(The generals) said again, recently, can we have more time? I said, 'Nope.' You can't have any more time. You've had enough time. We've knocked them out. We've knocked them silly," said Trump, according to a pool report.

He emphasized that he had held very good talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he said also wants to deal a harsh blow against the IS and he said he expected the Turkish leader would do so, along with others.

"We're no longer suckers, folks," Trump told the troops, warning that he is committed to bringing home US troops from foreign wars even over the objections of his administration's experts.

"The United States cannot continue to be the policeman of the world," Trump said. "It's not fair when the burden is all on us, the United States."

He suggested that he was not worried about losing the ability to hit the IS, called ISIS by the administration, saying that "If we see something happening with ISIS that we don't like, we can hit them so fast and so hard they really won't know what the hell happened," Trump said, according to Bloomberg News.

Trump also emphasized that his visit to the combat zone was to enable him to pay his respects to the "incredible troops" that the US currently has stationed in Iraq.

Trump had been scheduled to meet on Wednesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdelmahdi, but that meeting ultimately was cancelled.

"Melania and I were honored to visit our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. GOD BLESS THE USA.!" said Trump on Twitter.

Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, Trump greeted more than 100 soldiers assembled at the Al Asad airbase, shaking hands with several of them who extended their hands to him and who responded to him by chanting "USA!"

Trump and the first lady had traveled to Iraq in secret to share Christmas with US troops stationed in the Arab country, the White House said on Wednesday.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote on Wednesday on Twitter that the president and his wife Melania traveled to the Middle Eastern country to thank the troops and the military command tasked with the mission in Iraq "for their service, their success and their sacrifice" and to "wish them a Merry Christmas."

"President Trump and the First Lady traveled to Iraq late on Christmas night to visit with our troops and Senior Military leadership to thank them for their service, their success, and their sacrifice and to wish them a Merry Christmas," tweeted Sanders.

Local media emphasized that this is Trump's first visit to a combat zone since taking office in January 2017.

Trump has been the target of criticism for breaking with the Christmas tradition begun in 2002 according to which US presidents visit the country's troops to celebrate the holiday.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday confirmed his decision to withdraw US troops from Syria and said that his country cannot be the world's policeman in a surprise visit to troops deployed in Iraq. Trump made his remarks to reporters after arriving with first lady Melania Trump about 7:16 pm local time at Al Asad airbase in western Iraq on his first trip as president to visit troops stationed abroad. The president defended his decision to withdraw US troops from neighboring Syria, where some 2,000 soldiers are deployed as part of an international coalition fighting the Islamic State terrorist group, and he said that he was not giving US generals any more extensions of the deployment to continue to degrade the IS and work out the logistics of leaving the Middle Eastern country. "(The generals) said again, recently, can we have more time? I said, 'Nope.' You can't have any more time. You've had enough time. We've knocked them out. We've knocked them silly," said Trump, according to a pool report. He emphasized that he had held very good talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he said also wants to deal a harsh blow against the IS and he said he expected the Turkish leader would do so, along with others. "We're no longer suckers, folks," Trump told the troops, warning that he is committed to bringing home US troops from foreign wars even over the objections of his administration's experts. "The United States cannot continue to be the policeman of the world," Trump said. "It's not fair when the burden is all on us, the United States." He suggested that he was not worried about losing the ability to hit the IS, called ISIS by the administration, saying that "If we see something happening with ISIS that we don't like, we can hit them so fast and so hard they really won't know what the hell happened," Trump said, according to Bloomberg News. Trump also emphasized that his visit to the combat zone was to enable him to pay his respects to the "incredible troops" that the US currently has stationed in Iraq. Trump had been scheduled to meet on Wednesday with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdelmahdi, but that meeting ultimately was cancelled. "Melania and I were honored to visit our incredible troops at Al Asad Air Base in Iraq. GOD BLESS THE USA.!" said Trump on Twitter. Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, Trump greeted more than 100 soldiers assembled at the Al Asad airbase, shaking hands with several of them who extended their hands to him and who responded to him by chanting "USA!" Trump and the first lady had traveled to Iraq in secret to share Christmas with US troops stationed in the Arab country, the White House said on Wednesday. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders wrote on Wednesday on Twitter that the president and his wife Melania traveled to the Middle Eastern country to thank the troops and the military command tasked with the mission in Iraq "for their service, their success and their sacrifice" and to "wish them a Merry Christmas." "President Trump and the First Lady traveled to Iraq late on Christmas night to visit with our troops and Senior Military leadership to thank them for their service, their success, and their sacrifice and to wish them a Merry Christmas," tweeted Sanders. Local media emphasized that this is Trump's first visit to a combat zone since taking office in January 2017. Trump has been the target of criticism for breaking with the Christmas tradition begun in 2002 according to which US presidents visit the country's troops to celebrate the holiday.

'US can't be world's policeman': Trump defends Syria pullout in surprise visit to Iraq

Two developments, the pending return of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to the Arab fold and protests in Sudan, Jordan and Tunisia, send contradictory messages of where the Middle East and North Africa are headed.

Conservative monarchies like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have gone to great lengths to reverse the achievements of the 2011 Arab popular revolts that toppled the autocratic leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen and sparked mass protests in a swath of land stretching from the Atlantic coast of Africa to the Gulf.

A number of recent contacts, including a visit to Damascus by embattled Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, the first by an Arab leader since the eruption of the Syrian civil war; a meeting in Cairo of Syrian and Egyptian intelligence chiefs, and the refurbishing of the shuttered UAE embassy in the Syrian capital, are widely seen as precursors for Syria’s return.

In a twist of irony, Messrs. Al-Bashir and Al-Assad have both been accused of war crimes. The International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir that has largely been ignored by Middle Eastern and African nations.

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who overthrew Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first and only democratically elected leader, in a UAE-Saudi-backed military coup in 2013, drove home autocrats’ seeming victory with the appearance in a court of the country’s two toppled leaders, Hosni Mubarak and Morsi.

In a demonstration of Al-Sisi’s supremacy, Mubarak was required to testify against Morsi in a case involving a 2011 jail break.

There is little doubt that Middle Eastern and North African autocracy has the winds at its back, in part because many in the region have been taken aback by the brutality of the counterrevolution that has sparked civil war, military intervention and harsh repression.

Nonetheless, multiple protests in recent years across the region in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Mauritania and Sudan, as well as, online protests in various countries, including Saudi Arabia, suggest that grievances underlying the 2011 and subsequent protests remain widespread. This is true for countries like Egypt where the achievements of the 2011 protests have been reversed as well as Tunisia, the one country that succeeded in pursuing political transition.

A recent survey conducted by Zogby Research Services (ZRS) concluded that only one in five Tunisians and Egyptians believed that their country was moving in the “right direction,” while 69 per cent of Tunisians and 55 per cent of Egyptians said their countries were moving in the “wrong direction.”

When asked whether respondents felt they were better or worse off than they had been five years ago, only 21 per cent of Tunisians and 20 per cent of Egyptians said “better off,” while 59 per cent of Tunisians and 64 per cent of Egyptians claimed they were “worse off.”

The survey seemed to confirm the notion that the key to long-term stability in the Middle East and North Africa lies in resolving the region’s ticking time bomb: Unemployment and particularly youth unemployment.

The Zogby survey showed that employment, corruption, nepotism, an improved educational system and political reform were priorities for Egyptians and Tunisians. “The bottom line - the need to create jobs and reform governance so as to create greater confidence and opportunities for citizens are the challenges faced by the leaderships in both Tunisia and Egypt,” said James J Zogby, the founder of ZRS.

Official youth unemployment rates across the Middle East hover around 30 per cent and 20-25 per cent in North Africa with real rates believed to be far higher.

Neither Arab autocrats nor democratic Tunisia have so far been able to deliver. Yet, the outcome of the battle between greater political liberalism and autocracy in the Middle East is likely to be won in the sphere of economics rather than politics.

Arab autocrats as well as Tunisian leaders have since 2011 been long on promising economic reform that would create jobs and enhance career perspectives and short on delivery. A failure to tackle corruption, the enhanced role of the state in countries like Egypt where the military supported by the UAE and Saudi Arabia plays an ever-greater role in the economy, and depressed oil prices, have stymied growth in the region.

As a result, economics rather than politics will also seal the ultimate fate of the Arab spring, a code word for the crisis of confidence in the system and in leadership that has helped autocrats in the Middle East and North Africa retain or regain power and has fuelled populism, nationalism and the rise of the far right across the globe.

In a rare and furtive recognition of Middle Eastern and North African realities by the Trump administration, the US embassy in Riyadh tweeted in early December a video with Arabic subtitles promoting peaceful protest as a path to "positive social and political changes," but quickly deleted it when questioned about it by Middle East Eye.

The video argued that "even in oppressive, authoritarian conditions, protesters can tailor their campaigns to succeed." It featured archival photos of celebrated protest movements, asserting that research showed that between 1900 and 2006, non-violent protests had been twice as effective as violent ones.

Al-Assad’s return to the Arab fold may constitute one more setback for forces of change in the Middle East and North Africa but is a long way from symbolising their demise. For that to happen, the region’s autocrats have to make good on their promises by implementing painful structural reforms that inevitably will challenge vested interests. So far, there is little indication of that happening.

Which means that a warning earlier this year by Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), that “Public dissatisfaction, bubbling up in several countries, is a reminder that even more urgent action is needed,” remains as valid today as when she first issued it.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

 
&nbsp;

Two developments, the pending return of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to the Arab fold and protests in Sudan, Jordan and Tunisia, send contradictory messages of where the Middle East and North Africa are headed.

Two developments, the pending return of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to the Arab fold and protests in Sudan, Jordan and Tunisia, send contradictory messages of where the Middle East and North Africa are headed. Conservative monarchies like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have gone to great lengths to reverse the achievements of the 2011 Arab popular revolts that toppled the autocratic leaders of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen and sparked mass protests in a swath of land stretching from the Atlantic coast of Africa to the Gulf. A number of recent contacts, including a visit to Damascus by embattled Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, the first by an Arab leader since the eruption of the Syrian civil war; a meeting in Cairo of Syrian and Egyptian intelligence chiefs, and the refurbishing of the shuttered UAE embassy in the Syrian capital, are widely seen as precursors for Syria’s return. In a twist of irony, Messrs. Al-Bashir and Al-Assad have both been accused of war crimes. The International Criminal Court in The Hague has issued an arrest warrant for Al-Bashir that has largely been ignored by Middle Eastern and African nations. Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who overthrew Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s first and only democratically elected leader, in a UAE-Saudi-backed military coup in 2013, drove home autocrats’ seeming victory with the appearance in a court of the country’s two toppled leaders, Hosni Mubarak and Morsi. In a demonstration of Al-Sisi’s supremacy, Mubarak was required to testify against Morsi in a case involving a 2011 jail break. There is little doubt that Middle Eastern and North African autocracy has the winds at its back, in part because many in the region have been taken aback by the brutality of the counterrevolution that has sparked civil war, military intervention and harsh repression. Nonetheless, multiple protests in recent years across the region in Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Mauritania and Sudan, as well as, online protests in various countries, including Saudi Arabia, suggest that grievances underlying the 2011 and subsequent protests remain widespread. This is true for countries like Egypt where the achievements of the 2011 protests have been reversed as well as Tunisia, the one country that succeeded in pursuing political transition. A recent survey conducted by Zogby Research Services (ZRS) concluded that only one in five Tunisians and Egyptians believed that their country was moving in the “right direction,” while 69 per cent of Tunisians and 55 per cent of Egyptians said their countries were moving in the “wrong direction.” When asked whether respondents felt they were better or worse off than they had been five years ago, only 21 per cent of Tunisians and 20 per cent of Egyptians said “better off,” while 59 per cent of Tunisians and 64 per cent of Egyptians claimed they were “worse off.” The survey seemed to confirm the notion that the key to long-term stability in the Middle East and North Africa lies in resolving the region’s ticking time bomb: Unemployment and particularly youth unemployment. The Zogby survey showed that employment, corruption, nepotism, an improved educational system and political reform were priorities for Egyptians and Tunisians. “The bottom line - the need to create jobs and reform governance so as to create greater confidence and opportunities for citizens are the challenges faced by the leaderships in both Tunisia and Egypt,” said James J Zogby, the founder of ZRS. Official youth unemployment rates across the Middle East hover around 30 per cent and 20-25 per cent in North Africa with real rates believed to be far higher. Neither Arab autocrats nor democratic Tunisia have so far been able to deliver. Yet, the outcome of the battle between greater political liberalism and autocracy in the Middle East is likely to be won in the sphere of economics rather than politics. Arab autocrats as well as Tunisian leaders have since 2011 been long on promising economic reform that would create jobs and enhance career perspectives and short on delivery. A failure to tackle corruption, the enhanced role of the state in countries like Egypt where the military supported by the UAE and Saudi Arabia plays an ever-greater role in the economy, and depressed oil prices, have stymied growth in the region. As a result, economics rather than politics will also seal the ultimate fate of the Arab spring, a code word for the crisis of confidence in the system and in leadership that has helped autocrats in the Middle East and North Africa retain or regain power and has fuelled populism, nationalism and the rise of the far right across the globe. In a rare and furtive recognition of Middle Eastern and North African realities by the Trump administration, the US embassy in Riyadh tweeted in early December a video with Arabic subtitles promoting peaceful protest as a path to "positive social and political changes," but quickly deleted it when questioned about it by Middle East Eye. The video argued that "even in oppressive, authoritarian conditions, protesters can tailor their campaigns to succeed." It featured archival photos of celebrated protest movements, asserting that research showed that between 1900 and 2006, non-violent protests had been twice as effective as violent ones. Al-Assad’s return to the Arab fold may constitute one more setback for forces of change in the Middle East and North Africa but is a long way from symbolising their demise. For that to happen, the region’s autocrats have to make good on their promises by implementing painful structural reforms that inevitably will challenge vested interests. So far, there is little indication of that happening. Which means that a warning earlier this year by Christine Lagarde, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), that “Public dissatisfaction, bubbling up in several countries, is a reminder that even more urgent action is needed,” remains as valid today as when she first issued it. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Efforts to return Syria’s Bashar al-Assad to Arab fold amount to hollow victory for autocrats

As far as Gulf leaders are concerned, President Donald J Trump demonstrated with his announced US troop withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan that his insistence that the “world is a dangerous place” has never been truer.

The troop withdrawals coupled with Trump’s praising of Saudi Arabia’s alleged willingness to foot the reconstruction bill in Syria emphasised his lack of geopolitical interest in the Middle East.

If former US president Barak Obama’s seeming unwillingness to wholeheartedly support embattled Arab leaders during the 2011 Arab popular revolts that toppled the heads of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, was at the root of at times reckless greater assertiveness displayed since then by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Trump’s moves literally threaten to leave them hanging in the air.

A similar conclusion can be drawn for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appears to have successfully persuaded Trump to postpone publication of his Israeli-Palestinian peace plan until after Israel’s April 9 early elections because it portends to be less favourable to Israel than expected.

Despite Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the plan reportedly sees the city as the capital of both the Jewish and a Palestinian state.

The troop withdrawals and the peace plan confirm Middle Eastern leaders’, particularly those in the Gulf, worst fears: they are left without a reliable ally that will unconditionally protect their interests and they have no one to turn to who could fully replace the United States as their unquestioned protector.

The resignation of US defence secretary Jim Mattis deepens the crisis for Gulf leaders. “Mattis’ departure means the loss of a key interlocutor at the Department of Defense, the Cabinet-level agency with which the Gulf countries deal most. It also means losing a senior figure who views Middle Eastern strategic realities in terms very similar to their own. The fact that Mattis resigned over policy disagreements with the president does not bode well for future trends in Washington from a Gulf Arab perspective,” said Middle East scholar Hussein Ibish.

Trump has proven to be unreliable. His granting of waivers to Iran’s major oil buyers as well as for Indian investment in the Iranian port of Chabahar, viewed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE as a threat to their geopolitical and economic interests, was the writing on the wall despite the harsh sanctions imposed on Iran by the president. Syria and Afghanistan cement the fact that Trump is both unpredictable and unreliable.

The world’s other three major powers, Europe, Russia and China, have at best aspects of what the United States has to offer but lack the ability and/or interest to fully replace the United States as the Gulf leaders’ protector in the way that Trump seemed to do at the outset of his presidency.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE already have fundamental differences over Iran with the three powers who oppose US sanctions and want to salvage the 2015 international agreement that curbed the Islamic republic’s nuclear program. Similarly, the three world powers have refused to back the 18-month old Saudi-UAE-led economic and diplomatic boycott of Qatar and call for a speedy resolution of the crisis.

Russia, moreover, is keen to sell weaponry to the Gulf, who are among the world’s biggest buyers, exploit vacuums created by US policy, and capitalise as a non-OPEC producer in enabling Gulf efforts to manipulate production and world oil prices but is not eager to inherit the US defence umbrella for the region.

Said Russia and energy expert Li-Chen Sim: “The Gulf is not a key focus of Russian foreign policy… I don’t see the Russians taking any advantage of the problems between the Saudis and the Americans to play a larger security role.” Sim was referring to US Congressional blaming of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and condemnation of Saudi conduct of the war in Yemen.

By the same token, China has neither the ability nor the appetite to replace the United States in the Gulf. On the contrary, China has preferred to benefit from US regional protection, prompting US assertions that the Chinese were free-riders. As is evident across Eurasia in projects related to China’s infrastructure and energy-driven Belt and Road initiative, Chinese support does not come without strings. The same is true for Europe.

China’s brutal crackdown on Turkic Muslims that is expanding to other Muslim groups in the country, moreover, represents a potential black swan in China-Gulf relations.

The impact of Saudi and UAE uncertainty with no one world power available to cater to all their needs is reflected in apparent efforts to rebuild bridges with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad whose ouster they sought for much of the Syrian civil war.

A recent visit to Damascus by embattled Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, the first by an Arab leader since the civil war erupted in 2011, was widely seen as the beginning of a thaw in Syrian-Arab relations.

Ali Mamlouk, the head of Syrian air force intelligence and a close associate of Al-Assad, met in Cairo days later with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel.

The UAE is, according to unconfirmed reports, refurbishing its embassy in Damascus that has been empty since Gulf states broke off relations with Syria early on in the civil war.

Adding to Gulf leaders’ uncertainty, Trump left many guessing when he this week thanked Saudi Arabia on Twitter for agreeing to “to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States.”

With Saudi Arabia refraining from comment, it was not clear what Trump was referring to. Saudi Arabia transferred in October in the immediate wake of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi $100 million to the US to help stabilise parts of Syria.

The vacuum created by Trump risks fuelling greater Gulf assertiveness with potentially messy consequences.

A close associate of Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi asserted earlier this year that the UAE had offered Tunisia financial assistance if Essebsi followed the example of Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who imposed a brutal autocracy after staging in 2013 a military coup to topple Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s only democratically elected president.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia this month pledged $830 million in aid for Tunisia following Prince Mohammed’s controversial visit last month as part of a tour designed to demonstrate that his position remained strong despite Khashoggi’s killing.

Trump described the world as a dangerous place in shrugging off allegations that Prince Mohammed may have been responsible for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Gulf leaders are likely to share that perception in response to the president’s seeming unwillingness to fully take their interests into account.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

As far as Gulf leaders are concerned, President Donald J Trump demonstrated with his announced US troop withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan that his insistence that the “world is a dangerous place” has never been truer.

As far as Gulf leaders are concerned, President Donald J Trump demonstrated with his announced US troop withdrawals from Syria and Afghanistan that his insistence that the “world is a dangerous place” has never been truer. The troop withdrawals coupled with Trump’s praising of Saudi Arabia’s alleged willingness to foot the reconstruction bill in Syria emphasised his lack of geopolitical interest in the Middle East. If former US president Barak Obama’s seeming unwillingness to wholeheartedly support embattled Arab leaders during the 2011 Arab popular revolts that toppled the heads of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen, was at the root of at times reckless greater assertiveness displayed since then by the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Trump’s moves literally threaten to leave them hanging in the air. A similar conclusion can be drawn for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who appears to have successfully persuaded Trump to postpone publication of his Israeli-Palestinian peace plan until after Israel’s April 9 early elections because it portends to be less favourable to Israel than expected. Despite Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the plan reportedly sees the city as the capital of both the Jewish and a Palestinian state. The troop withdrawals and the peace plan confirm Middle Eastern leaders’, particularly those in the Gulf, worst fears: they are left without a reliable ally that will unconditionally protect their interests and they have no one to turn to who could fully replace the United States as their unquestioned protector. The resignation of US defence secretary Jim Mattis deepens the crisis for Gulf leaders. “Mattis’ departure means the loss of a key interlocutor at the Department of Defense, the Cabinet-level agency with which the Gulf countries deal most. It also means losing a senior figure who views Middle Eastern strategic realities in terms very similar to their own. The fact that Mattis resigned over policy disagreements with the president does not bode well for future trends in Washington from a Gulf Arab perspective,” said Middle East scholar Hussein Ibish. Trump has proven to be unreliable. His granting of waivers to Iran’s major oil buyers as well as for Indian investment in the Iranian port of Chabahar, viewed by Saudi Arabia and the UAE as a threat to their geopolitical and economic interests, was the writing on the wall despite the harsh sanctions imposed on Iran by the president. Syria and Afghanistan cement the fact that Trump is both unpredictable and unreliable. The world’s other three major powers, Europe, Russia and China, have at best aspects of what the United States has to offer but lack the ability and/or interest to fully replace the United States as the Gulf leaders’ protector in the way that Trump seemed to do at the outset of his presidency. Saudi Arabia and the UAE already have fundamental differences over Iran with the three powers who oppose US sanctions and want to salvage the 2015 international agreement that curbed the Islamic republic’s nuclear program. Similarly, the three world powers have refused to back the 18-month old Saudi-UAE-led economic and diplomatic boycott of Qatar and call for a speedy resolution of the crisis. Russia, moreover, is keen to sell weaponry to the Gulf, who are among the world’s biggest buyers, exploit vacuums created by US policy, and capitalise as a non-OPEC producer in enabling Gulf efforts to manipulate production and world oil prices but is not eager to inherit the US defence umbrella for the region. Said Russia and energy expert Li-Chen Sim: “The Gulf is not a key focus of Russian foreign policy… I don’t see the Russians taking any advantage of the problems between the Saudis and the Americans to play a larger security role.” Sim was referring to US Congressional blaming of Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and condemnation of Saudi conduct of the war in Yemen. By the same token, China has neither the ability nor the appetite to replace the United States in the Gulf. On the contrary, China has preferred to benefit from US regional protection, prompting US assertions that the Chinese were free-riders. As is evident across Eurasia in projects related to China’s infrastructure and energy-driven Belt and Road initiative, Chinese support does not come without strings. The same is true for Europe. China’s brutal crackdown on Turkic Muslims that is expanding to other Muslim groups in the country, moreover, represents a potential black swan in China-Gulf relations. The impact of Saudi and UAE uncertainty with no one world power available to cater to all their needs is reflected in apparent efforts to rebuild bridges with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad whose ouster they sought for much of the Syrian civil war. A recent visit to Damascus by embattled Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir, the first by an Arab leader since the civil war erupted in 2011, was widely seen as the beginning of a thaw in Syrian-Arab relations. Ali Mamlouk, the head of Syrian air force intelligence and a close associate of Al-Assad, met in Cairo days later with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. The UAE is, according to unconfirmed reports, refurbishing its embassy in Damascus that has been empty since Gulf states broke off relations with Syria early on in the civil war. Adding to Gulf leaders’ uncertainty, Trump left many guessing when he this week thanked Saudi Arabia on Twitter for agreeing to “to spend the necessary money needed to help rebuild Syria, instead of the United States.” With Saudi Arabia refraining from comment, it was not clear what Trump was referring to. Saudi Arabia transferred in October in the immediate wake of the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi $100 million to the US to help stabilise parts of Syria. The vacuum created by Trump risks fuelling greater Gulf assertiveness with potentially messy consequences. A close associate of Tunisian president Beji Caid Essebsi asserted earlier this year that the UAE had offered Tunisia financial assistance if Essebsi followed the example of Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who imposed a brutal autocracy after staging in 2013 a military coup to topple Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s only democratically elected president. Saudi Arabia this month pledged $830 million in aid for Tunisia following Prince Mohammed’s controversial visit last month as part of a tour designed to demonstrate that his position remained strong despite Khashoggi’s killing. Trump described the world as a dangerous place in shrugging off allegations that Prince Mohammed may have been responsible for the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Gulf leaders are likely to share that perception in response to the president’s seeming unwillingness to fully take their interests into account. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

US withdrawal of troops: Middle Eastern leaders left without a reliable ally

Syrian <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syria-says-new-air-defences-will-make-israel-think-twice-167815">air defences shot down Israeli missiles near the capital Damascus</a> on Tuesday, local state media reported, while Israel said it was protecting itself from anti-aircraft fire.&nbsp;

The official Syrian news agency SANA said air defences "intercepted hostile missiles launched by the Israeli warplanes" from over Lebanese territories, citing a military source.

It added that the majority of them were downed before reaching their targets near the capital Damascus. Three soldiers were injured and an ammunition depot damaged.&nbsp;

Israel has previously carried out several bombings in Syria against what it says are Iranian military targets and advanced arms deliveries to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese group, both enemies of the Jewish state.&nbsp;

Many of them have been in the area south of Damascus.&nbsp;

An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to comment on reports of a strike in Syria when contacted by AFP.

But it added in a statement: "An aerial defence system went off against an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria. No damage or injuries were reported."

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor also reported "an Israeli raid".

"Missiles fired from Israeli planes targeted... arms depots southwest and south of Damascus that belong to Hezbollah or Iranian forces," said Rami Abdel Rahman.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to let Tehran -- a supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- from entrenching itself militarily in the war-torn country.

Experts say Israel is to be greatly affected by US President Donald Trump's announcement of a withdrawal of American forces from Syria, as it would leave the area open to Iran and its partners to develop their military capacity.

There have been warnings from Israel and others that Iran is seeking to form a "land bridge" across to the Mediterranean, and some analysts have said that the US withdrawal could help that effort.

Yet Israeli officials, who have previously applauded Trump's policy in the Middle East, have stressed that it has long managed that front alone.

If confirmed, Tuesday's reported strike would be the first by Israel since the US withdrawal was announced.&nbsp;

At the end of November Syria said its air defences had targeted and downed a number of "hostile targets" over the Kisweh area south of Damascus.

Syrian air defences shot down Israeli missiles near the capital Damascus on Tuesday, local state media reported, while Israel said it was protecting itself from anti-aircraft fire.

Syrian air defences shot down Israeli missiles near the capital Damascus on Tuesday, local state media reported, while Israel said it was protecting itself from anti-aircraft fire. The official Syrian news agency SANA said air defences "intercepted hostile missiles launched by the Israeli warplanes" from over Lebanese territories, citing a military source. It added that the majority of them were downed before reaching their targets near the capital Damascus. Three soldiers were injured and an ammunition depot damaged. Israel has previously carried out several bombings in Syria against what it says are Iranian military targets and advanced arms deliveries to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese group, both enemies of the Jewish state. Many of them have been in the area south of Damascus. An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to comment on reports of a strike in Syria when contacted by AFP. But it added in a statement: "An aerial defence system went off against an anti-aircraft missile launched from Syria. No damage or injuries were reported." The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor also reported "an Israeli raid". "Missiles fired from Israeli planes targeted... arms depots southwest and south of Damascus that belong to Hezbollah or Iranian forces," said Rami Abdel Rahman. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to let Tehran -- a supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad -- from entrenching itself militarily in the war-torn country. Experts say Israel is to be greatly affected by US President Donald Trump's announcement of a withdrawal of American forces from Syria, as it would leave the area open to Iran and its partners to develop their military capacity. There have been warnings from Israel and others that Iran is seeking to form a "land bridge" across to the Mediterranean, and some analysts have said that the US withdrawal could help that effort. Yet Israeli officials, who have previously applauded Trump's policy in the Middle East, have stressed that it has long managed that front alone. If confirmed, Tuesday's reported strike would be the first by Israel since the US withdrawal was announced. At the end of November Syria said its air defences had targeted and downed a number of "hostile targets" over the Kisweh area south of Damascus.

Syria shoots down Israeli missiles near capital Damascus: State media

Syrian air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" near Damascus on Tuesday, state media reported, with a war monitor reporting an Israeli air strike.

The official SANA news agency and the state broadcaster both reported that air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" to "confront" them, without giving further details.

SANA said "a number of enemy targets were downed" by the air defences. "It's an Israeli raid," said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.

"Missiles fired from Israeli planes targeted... Arms depots southwest and south of Damascus that belong to Hezbollah or Iranian forces," Abdel Rahman said. Israel has carried out dozens of air strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian targets, many of them in the area south of Damascus.

At the end of November, Syria said its air defences had targeted and downed a number of "hostile targets" over the Kisweh area south of Damascus.

In early December SANA and state television reported that Syrian air defences had opened fire near Damascus airport but later both state media outlets withdrew the report without explanation.&nbsp;

Syrian air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" near Damascus on Tuesday, state media reported, with a war monitor reporting an Israeli air strike. The official SANA news agency and the state broadcaster both reported that air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" to "confront" them, without giving further details.

Syrian air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" near Damascus on Tuesday, state media reported, with a war monitor reporting an Israeli air strike. The official SANA news agency and the state broadcaster both reported that air defences opened fire on "enemy targets" to "confront" them, without giving further details. SANA said "a number of enemy targets were downed" by the air defences. "It's an Israeli raid," said Rami Abdel Rahman, who heads the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor. "Missiles fired from Israeli planes targeted... Arms depots southwest and south of Damascus that belong to Hezbollah or Iranian forces," Abdel Rahman said. Israel has carried out dozens of air strikes in neighbouring Syria against what it says are Iranian targets, many of them in the area south of Damascus. At the end of November, Syria said its air defences had targeted and downed a number of "hostile targets" over the Kisweh area south of Damascus. In early December SANA and state television reported that Syrian air defences had opened fire near Damascus airport but later both state media outlets withdrew the report without explanation.

Syria air defences fire on 'enemy targets' near Damascus: State media

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/israel-sees-limits-of-trump-support-with-syria-pullout-186084"> US withdrawal from Syria</a>, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij.

Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed concerns that the withdrawal ordered by US President Donald Trump would allow Islamic State to regain territory.

"As part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, we would like to express again that we will not allow such a thing to happen on Syrian soil, Iraqi soil or Turkish soil," Kalin told a news conference.

He added that there would be no disruption or slowdown of the fight against the militant group.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-invites-trump-to-visit-turkey-white-house-186256">Erdogan and Trump</a> agreed in a phone call on Sunday to establish military and diplomatic coordination to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws.

A committee of US military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the pullout with their counterparts, Kalin said, adding that Turkey would also increase coordination with Russia in Syria.

In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb confirmed there would be meetings in Turkey this week. She said the two countries were "coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in Northeast Syria," but declined to give details of the discussions.

Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed rebels fighting against him. The two countries reached an agreement in September to create a demilitarised zone in the Idlib region, the last major rebel stronghold.&nbsp;

Trump's abrupt decision to pull troops out of Syria has upended American policy in the region. It will also effectively hand the fight against Islamic State in Syria to Turkey and set Ankara up to broaden its push against the Syrian Kurdish YPG.

Differences over Syria have long been a source of tension between the United States and Turkey. Washington has backed the YPG in the fight against Islamic State, but Ankara sees the militia as a terrorist organisation.

Flashpoint?

A rebel spokesman said on Monday Turkish-backed Syrian forces had reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, occupied by the Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the US withdrawal.

"Yesterday units from the (rebel) Syrian National Army headed towards the Manbij front and took preliminary positions (in preparation) for the battle," said Major Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the National Army.

US forces are still in Manbij and the Turkish-backed fighters will not advance until they withdraw, Hamoud told Reuters.

In June, Ankara and Washington reached an agreement that would see the YPG ousted from the town, but Turkey has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it says has been a delay in that deal.

Erdogan said earlier this month that Turkish forces would enter the town unless the United States removed the Kurdish fighters.&nbsp;

Outgoing US Defense Secretary James Mattis has signed the order for the withdrawal of the US forces from Syria, the US Defense Department said on Monday.

The withdrawal is seen as possibly beginning within weeks.

"Americans have uttered numbers such as 30-60 days, 60-100 days. We will see about that," Kalin said on Monday. "This will have more to do with the coordination of the withdrawal process in the field."

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the US withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij.

Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the US withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij. Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman for President Tayyip Erdogan dismissed concerns that the withdrawal ordered by US President Donald Trump would allow Islamic State to regain territory. "As part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, we would like to express again that we will not allow such a thing to happen on Syrian soil, Iraqi soil or Turkish soil," Kalin told a news conference. He added that there would be no disruption or slowdown of the fight against the militant group. Erdogan and Trump agreed in a phone call on Sunday to establish military and diplomatic coordination to prevent a power vacuum from developing as the United States withdraws. A committee of US military officials will visit Turkey this week to discuss the details of the pullout with their counterparts, Kalin said, adding that Turkey would also increase coordination with Russia in Syria. In Washington, Pentagon spokeswoman Heather Babb confirmed there would be meetings in Turkey this week. She said the two countries were "coordinating actively on all issues affecting both Turkish security and the situation in Northeast Syria," but declined to give details of the discussions. Russia supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, while Turkey has backed rebels fighting against him. The two countries reached an agreement in September to create a demilitarised zone in the Idlib region, the last major rebel stronghold. Trump's abrupt decision to pull troops out of Syria has upended American policy in the region. It will also effectively hand the fight against Islamic State in Syria to Turkey and set Ankara up to broaden its push against the Syrian Kurdish YPG. Differences over Syria have long been a source of tension between the United States and Turkey. Washington has backed the YPG in the fight against Islamic State, but Ankara sees the militia as a terrorist organisation. Flashpoint? A rebel spokesman said on Monday Turkish-backed Syrian forces had reinforced the area around the town of Manbij, occupied by the Kurdish fighters, in preparation for the US withdrawal. "Yesterday units from the (rebel) Syrian National Army headed towards the Manbij front and took preliminary positions (in preparation) for the battle," said Major Youssef Hamoud, the spokesman for the National Army. US forces are still in Manbij and the Turkish-backed fighters will not advance until they withdraw, Hamoud told Reuters. In June, Ankara and Washington reached an agreement that would see the YPG ousted from the town, but Turkey has repeatedly blamed the United States for what it says has been a delay in that deal. Erdogan said earlier this month that Turkish forces would enter the town unless the United States removed the Kurdish fighters. Outgoing US Defense Secretary James Mattis has signed the order for the withdrawal of the US forces from Syria, the US Defense Department said on Monday. The withdrawal is seen as possibly beginning within weeks. "Americans have uttered numbers such as 30-60 days, 60-100 days. We will see about that," Kalin said on Monday. "This will have more to do with the coordination of the withdrawal process in the field."

Turkey vows no slowdown in fight against IS after US pullout from Syria

Iraq to deploy troops in Syria

In pictures: Christmas celebrations around the globe

A US military delegation will visit <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-sends-military-reinforcements-to-syria-border-reports-186200">Turkey this week</a> to discuss the withdrawal of American ground forces from Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman said on Monday.

"They will discuss how to coordinate (the withdrawal) with their counterparts," Ibrahim Kalin told a news conference in Ankara after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-turkeys-erdogan-will-take-care-of-islamic-state-in-syria-186109">US President Donald Trump</a>'s shock decision last week to order the pull-out of 2,000 troops.

The US has for years supported the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in Syria.

Critics of Trump's move fear that thousands of IS members could make gains in Syria, despite the US leader's claim that the group had been defeated.

"There is no question of a step backwards, vulnerability or a slowdown in the fight against Daesh (IS)," Kalin vowed, adding: "Turkey will show the same determination against Daesh... We can bring peace to this region."

He referred to Turkey's cross-border offensive launched in August 2016 against the IS in northern Syria and said Ankara would take all measures to avoid a power vacuum after the US withdrawal.

Kalin said there would be further talks between the two countries' foreign ministries and other departments including a meeting planned in Washington on January 8.

"There will be intensive traffic" between officials, he added, a day after Trump and Erdogan held a telephone conversation agreeing to coordinate the Syria pull out.

Trump's order came as Ankara warned it would launch an operation east of the Euphrates River against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia which dominates the SDF.

Ankara says the YPG is a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984.

Although Turkey said it would postpone the offensive, a Turkish military convoy has arrived in the Turkish border district of Elbeyli carrying howitzers and artillery batteries.

Parts of the convoy entered Syria, the private IHA news agency reported.

A US military delegation will visit Turkey this week to discuss the withdrawal of American ground forces from Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman said on Monday.

A US military delegation will visit Turkey this week to discuss the withdrawal of American ground forces from Syria, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's spokesman said on Monday. "They will discuss how to coordinate (the withdrawal) with their counterparts," Ibrahim Kalin told a news conference in Ankara after US President Donald Trump's shock decision last week to order the pull-out of 2,000 troops. The US has for years supported the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group in Syria. Critics of Trump's move fear that thousands of IS members could make gains in Syria, despite the US leader's claim that the group had been defeated. "There is no question of a step backwards, vulnerability or a slowdown in the fight against Daesh (IS)," Kalin vowed, adding: "Turkey will show the same determination against Daesh... We can bring peace to this region." He referred to Turkey's cross-border offensive launched in August 2016 against the IS in northern Syria and said Ankara would take all measures to avoid a power vacuum after the US withdrawal. Kalin said there would be further talks between the two countries' foreign ministries and other departments including a meeting planned in Washington on January 8. "There will be intensive traffic" between officials, he added, a day after Trump and Erdogan held a telephone conversation agreeing to coordinate the Syria pull out. Trump's order came as Ankara warned it would launch an operation east of the Euphrates River against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia which dominates the SDF. Ankara says the YPG is a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. Although Turkey said it would postpone the offensive, a Turkish military convoy has arrived in the Turkish border district of Elbeyli carrying howitzers and artillery batteries. Parts of the convoy entered Syria, the private IHA news agency reported.

US team coming to discuss Syria troops withdrawal: Turkey

The order to withdraw American troops from Syria has been signed, the US military said Sunday, after President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-erdogan-vow-to-avoid-syria-power-vacuum-after-us-forces-leave-186057">agreed to prevent a power vacuum</a> in the wake of the controversial move.

The announcement that US troops would leave the civil war-racked country -- where they have been deployed to assist in the multinational fight against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group -- shocked global partners and American politicians alike.

"The execute order for Syria has been signed," a US military spokesperson told AFP when asked about the withdrawal order, without providing further details.

Turkey was a rare ally that lauded Trump's momentous decision on Syria, a country where it will now have a freer rein to target US-allied Kurdish fighters who have played a key role in the war against IS but are deemed terrorists by Ankara.

Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone on Sunday and "agreed to ensure coordination between their countries' military, diplomatic and other officials to avoid a power vacuum which could result following any abuse of the withdrawal and transition phase in Syria," the Turkish presidency said in a statement.

Hours earlier, Trump had tweeted that he and Erdogan "discussed (IS), our mutual involvement in Syria, &amp; the slow &amp; highly coordinated pullout of U.S. troops from the area."

Both US politicians and international allies fear the withdrawal is premature and would further destabilize the already devastated region.

A US withdrawal, said Mutlu Civiroglu, a Kurdish affairs analyst, will open the way "for Turkey to start its operations against the Kurds, and a bloody war will begin."

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said he "deeply regretted" Trump's decision, and that "an ally must be reliable."

- New Pentagon chief - 
US troops will leave under the auspices of a new Pentagon chief set to start next month, after Jim Mattis resigned from the post citing key differences, including on Syria, with the often-impulsive Trump.

Several US politicians from both parties rejected Trump's claim that IS had been defeated, and the decision also caused alarm and dismay in the US military over the prospect of suddenly abandoning Washington's Kurdish partners.

And Trump's sudden decision sparked turmoil within his administration, prompting the resignation of Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the anti-IS coalition, as well as Mattis.

Plans for the troop withdrawal will now be overseen by Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who Trump on Sunday said would replace Mattis starting January 1.

Mattis, 68, had said he would leave at the end of February to allow a smooth transition for the next chief of the world's top military power -- but a reportedly angry Trump accelerated his departure by two months.

Defense spokeswoman Dana White tweeted that Mattis would still assist in the handover, working with Shanahan to ensure the department "remains focused on the defense of our nation during this transition."

According to US media, the Republican leader voiced resentment over news coverage of Mattis' stinging resignation letter that laid bare his fundamental disagreements with the president.

Days later, special envoy McGurk made a similar move, saying he could not support Trump's Syria decision that he said "left our coalition partners confused and our fighting partners bewildered."

Unlike Mattis, Shanahan has never served in the military and has spent most of his career in the private sector.

He spent over three decades working for aircraft giant Boeing, including as vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems, before moving to the Pentagon as deputy in 2017.

Until Trump finds a permanent defense leader, Shanahan will lead plans for US troops to leave Syria along with a significant drawdown in Afghanistan, both of which critics worry will leave war-torn regions at risk of continued and potentially heightened bloodshed. 
&nbsp;

The order to withdraw American troops from Syria has been signed, the US military said Sunday, after President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart agreed to prevent a power vacuum in the wake of the controversial move.

The order to withdraw American troops from Syria has been signed, the US military said Sunday, after President Donald Trump and his Turkish counterpart agreed to prevent a power vacuum in the wake of the controversial move. The announcement that US troops would leave the civil war-racked country -- where they have been deployed to assist in the multinational fight against the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group -- shocked global partners and American politicians alike. "The execute order for Syria has been signed," a US military spokesperson told AFP when asked about the withdrawal order, without providing further details. Turkey was a rare ally that lauded Trump's momentous decision on Syria, a country where it will now have a freer rein to target US-allied Kurdish fighters who have played a key role in the war against IS but are deemed terrorists by Ankara. Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone on Sunday and "agreed to ensure coordination between their countries' military, diplomatic and other officials to avoid a power vacuum which could result following any abuse of the withdrawal and transition phase in Syria," the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Hours earlier, Trump had tweeted that he and Erdogan "discussed (IS), our mutual involvement in Syria, & the slow & highly coordinated pullout of U.S. troops from the area." Both US politicians and international allies fear the withdrawal is premature and would further destabilize the already devastated region. A US withdrawal, said Mutlu Civiroglu, a Kurdish affairs analyst, will open the way "for Turkey to start its operations against the Kurds, and a bloody war will begin." French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday said he "deeply regretted" Trump's decision, and that "an ally must be reliable." - New Pentagon chief - US troops will leave under the auspices of a new Pentagon chief set to start next month, after Jim Mattis resigned from the post citing key differences, including on Syria, with the often-impulsive Trump. Several US politicians from both parties rejected Trump's claim that IS had been defeated, and the decision also caused alarm and dismay in the US military over the prospect of suddenly abandoning Washington's Kurdish partners. And Trump's sudden decision sparked turmoil within his administration, prompting the resignation of Brett McGurk, the special envoy to the anti-IS coalition, as well as Mattis. Plans for the troop withdrawal will now be overseen by Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan, who Trump on Sunday said would replace Mattis starting January 1. Mattis, 68, had said he would leave at the end of February to allow a smooth transition for the next chief of the world's top military power -- but a reportedly angry Trump accelerated his departure by two months. Defense spokeswoman Dana White tweeted that Mattis would still assist in the handover, working with Shanahan to ensure the department "remains focused on the defense of our nation during this transition." According to US media, the Republican leader voiced resentment over news coverage of Mattis' stinging resignation letter that laid bare his fundamental disagreements with the president. Days later, special envoy McGurk made a similar move, saying he could not support Trump's Syria decision that he said "left our coalition partners confused and our fighting partners bewildered." Unlike Mattis, Shanahan has never served in the military and has spent most of his career in the private sector. He spent over three decades working for aircraft giant Boeing, including as vice president and general manager of Boeing Missile Defense Systems, before moving to the Pentagon as deputy in 2017. Until Trump finds a permanent defense leader, Shanahan will lead plans for US troops to leave Syria along with a significant drawdown in Afghanistan, both of which critics worry will leave war-torn regions at risk of continued and potentially heightened bloodshed.

Order for troop pullout from Syria signed: US military

Outgoing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-replace-jim-mattis-with-deputy-patrick-shanahan-186048">US Defence Secretary James Mattis</a> has signed an order withdrawing US forces from Syria, a Defense Department spokesman said on Monday, following through on a decision by President Donald Trump that helped trigger Mattis' resignation last week.

The signing, which had been expected, occurred after Trump announced on Sunday that he would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-irritated-by-resignation-letter-tells-mattis-to-go-2-months-early-186055">replace Mattis two months earlier than expected</a>, move officials said was driven by the president's anger at a rebuke of his foreign policy contained in Mattis' resignation letter.

"The execute order for Syria has been signed," a Defense Department spokesman said in an email to Reuters that provided no operational details.

Officials have cautioned against a timeline but the withdrawal could begin in weeks. A senior official said a specific plan was being worked on.

On Wednesday, Trump said he was withdrawing US troops from Syria, citing its cost in terms of US military lives and taxpayer money.

Mattis, whose embrace of NATO and America's traditional alliances often put him at odds with Trump, had advised against the Syria withdrawal - one of the factors in his resignation.

Mattis is highly regarded by Republicans and Democrats alike and his departure added to concerns over what many see as Trump's unpredictable go-it-alone approach to global security.

In his resignation letter, Mattis had said he would step down at the end of February to allow for a successor to be confirmed and to attend congressional hearings and a key NATO meeting.

But Trump, who was irked by the attention given to Mattis' letter, said Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan would take over on an acting basis from January 1.

Outgoing US Defence Secretary James Mattis has signed an order withdrawing US forces from Syria, a Defense Department spokesman said on Monday, following through on a decision by President Donald Trump that helped trigger Mattis' resignation last week.

Outgoing US Defence Secretary James Mattis has signed an order withdrawing US forces from Syria, a Defense Department spokesman said on Monday, following through on a decision by President Donald Trump that helped trigger Mattis' resignation last week. The signing, which had been expected, occurred after Trump announced on Sunday that he would replace Mattis two months earlier than expected, move officials said was driven by the president's anger at a rebuke of his foreign policy contained in Mattis' resignation letter. "The execute order for Syria has been signed," a Defense Department spokesman said in an email to Reuters that provided no operational details. Officials have cautioned against a timeline but the withdrawal could begin in weeks. A senior official said a specific plan was being worked on. On Wednesday, Trump said he was withdrawing US troops from Syria, citing its cost in terms of US military lives and taxpayer money. Mattis, whose embrace of NATO and America's traditional alliances often put him at odds with Trump, had advised against the Syria withdrawal - one of the factors in his resignation. Mattis is highly regarded by Republicans and Democrats alike and his departure added to concerns over what many see as Trump's unpredictable go-it-alone approach to global security. In his resignation letter, Mattis had said he would step down at the end of February to allow for a successor to be confirmed and to attend congressional hearings and a key NATO meeting. But Trump, who was irked by the attention given to Mattis' letter, said Deputy Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan would take over on an acting basis from January 1.

Outgoing defence secretary Mattis signs order withdrawing US troops from Syria

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/after-trump-says-us-pulling-out-turkey-sends-troops-into-northern-syria-war-monitor-185910">Turkey has sent reinforcements to the border with Syria</a>, Turkish media reported on Monday after Washington <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/order-for-troop-pullout-from-syria-signed-us-military-186082">ordered the withdrawal of its ground forces</a> from the war-ravaged nation.

A Turkish military convoy with howitzers and artillery batteries as well as different units of the armed forces were deployed to the border district of Elbeyli in Kilis province, state news agency Anadolu reported.

The military reinforcements would take place "gradually", the private IHA news agency reported, adding that parts of the convoy had entered Syria.

The deployment began over the weekend with around 100 vehicles, Hurriyet daily said, which had crossed into the Al-Bab region of northern Syria.

They were headed towards Jarabulus and Manbij which is held by a US-backed Kurdish YPG militia viewed by Ankara as "terrorists" linked to Kurdish insurgents inside Turkey.

Turkey was a rare ally that lauded Trump's decision on Syria since it will now have a freer rein to target Kurdish fighters in the country's north who were armed and trained by the US and played a major role in the war against Islamic State (IS) group.

Jarabulus and Al-Bab were areas captured from IS during Ankara's first military operation in August 2016 which lasted until March 2017.

Military reinforcements had also been sent to the Akcakale border town and Ceylanpinar district, both in the southeastern Sanliurfa province.

US President Donald Trump stunned the US political establishment and allies last week when he decided to pull 2,000 troops from Syria just days after his Turkish counterpart warned Ankara would soon launch a new operation in the country's north.

Turkey conducted a second offensive with Syrian rebels against the People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in its northwestern enclave of Afrin in January this year.

The operation ended in March with the capture of the city.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Ankara would launch a third operation against the YPG and the last remaining elements of IS in Syria in the coming months.

Prior to Trump's announcement, Erdogan had said the operation would be in the "next few days" but on Friday Turkey said this would be delayed to avoid "friendly fire".

American support to the YPG, under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, has long been a source of tensions between NATO allies the US and Turkey.

With Trump's move to withdraw troops and trust that Turkey will handle the remnants of IS, the Turkish and American leaders appear to have improved relations substantially since a crisis in the summer over the detention of a US pastor, subsequently released.

Turkey has sent reinforcements to the border with Syria, Turkish media reported on Monday after Washington ordered the withdrawal of its ground forces from the war-ravaged nation.

Turkey has sent reinforcements to the border with Syria, Turkish media reported on Monday after Washington ordered the withdrawal of its ground forces from the war-ravaged nation. A Turkish military convoy with howitzers and artillery batteries as well as different units of the armed forces were deployed to the border district of Elbeyli in Kilis province, state news agency Anadolu reported. The military reinforcements would take place "gradually", the private IHA news agency reported, adding that parts of the convoy had entered Syria. The deployment began over the weekend with around 100 vehicles, Hurriyet daily said, which had crossed into the Al-Bab region of northern Syria. They were headed towards Jarabulus and Manbij which is held by a US-backed Kurdish YPG militia viewed by Ankara as "terrorists" linked to Kurdish insurgents inside Turkey. Turkey was a rare ally that lauded Trump's decision on Syria since it will now have a freer rein to target Kurdish fighters in the country's north who were armed and trained by the US and played a major role in the war against Islamic State (IS) group. Jarabulus and Al-Bab were areas captured from IS during Ankara's first military operation in August 2016 which lasted until March 2017. Military reinforcements had also been sent to the Akcakale border town and Ceylanpinar district, both in the southeastern Sanliurfa province. US President Donald Trump stunned the US political establishment and allies last week when he decided to pull 2,000 troops from Syria just days after his Turkish counterpart warned Ankara would soon launch a new operation in the country's north. Turkey conducted a second offensive with Syrian rebels against the People's Protection Units (YPG) militia in its northwestern enclave of Afrin in January this year. The operation ended in March with the capture of the city. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Ankara would launch a third operation against the YPG and the last remaining elements of IS in Syria in the coming months. Prior to Trump's announcement, Erdogan had said the operation would be in the "next few days" but on Friday Turkey said this would be delayed to avoid "friendly fire". American support to the YPG, under the banner of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, has long been a source of tensions between NATO allies the US and Turkey. With Trump's move to withdraw troops and trust that Turkey will handle the remnants of IS, the Turkish and American leaders appear to have improved relations substantially since a crisis in the summer over the detention of a US pastor, subsequently released.

Turkey has sent military reinforcements to Syria border: Reports

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday criticised <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/its-the-only-way-to-stop-drugs-gangs-criminals-from-entering-us-trump-defends-demand-for-border-wall-186037">US President Donald Trump</a>'s decision to withdraw American forces from Syria, saying "an ally must be reliable".

Speaking in the Chad capital N'Djamena, Macron said "I deeply regret the decision" by Trump to pullout US troops.

Trump last week ordered a complete troop pullout from Syria, asserting that the Islamic State group had been defeated, and a significant withdrawal from Afghanistan.

"To be an ally is to fight shoulder to shoulder," Macron said, adding that France was doing just that in Chad in the fight against jihadist groups.

"An ally must be reliable, to coordinate with its other allies," he said.

Macron also paid tribute to Defense Secretary James Mattis, who said he was resigning on Thursday after Trump's Syria announcement.

"I want here to pay tribute to General Mattis... for a year we have seen how he was a reliable partner," Macron said at a news conference with his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby.

Mattis, 68, was one of Trump's first cabinet picks and has spent nearly two years at the Pentagon.

In his resignation letter Mattis spelled out to the world what seemed obvious to many observers: Trump's worldview was irreconcilable with his own.

"My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades' immersion in these issues," Mattis wrote to Trump, who has sought closer ties with Russia and heaped contempt on NATO and other alliances.

"Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position."

Brett McGurk, the US special envoy to the anti-Islamic State group coalition, also announced he would bring his departure forward from February due to the Syria policy change.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday criticised US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw American forces from Syria, saying "an ally must be reliable".

French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday criticised US President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw American forces from Syria, saying "an ally must be reliable". Speaking in the Chad capital N'Djamena, Macron said "I deeply regret the decision" by Trump to pullout US troops. Trump last week ordered a complete troop pullout from Syria, asserting that the Islamic State group had been defeated, and a significant withdrawal from Afghanistan. "To be an ally is to fight shoulder to shoulder," Macron said, adding that France was doing just that in Chad in the fight against jihadist groups. "An ally must be reliable, to coordinate with its other allies," he said. Macron also paid tribute to Defense Secretary James Mattis, who said he was resigning on Thursday after Trump's Syria announcement. "I want here to pay tribute to General Mattis... for a year we have seen how he was a reliable partner," Macron said at a news conference with his Chadian counterpart Idriss Deby. Mattis, 68, was one of Trump's first cabinet picks and has spent nearly two years at the Pentagon. In his resignation letter Mattis spelled out to the world what seemed obvious to many observers: Trump's worldview was irreconcilable with his own. "My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades' immersion in these issues," Mattis wrote to Trump, who has sought closer ties with Russia and heaped contempt on NATO and other alliances. "Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position." Brett McGurk, the US special envoy to the anti-Islamic State group coalition, also announced he would bring his departure forward from February due to the Syria policy change.

Macron criticises US Syria pullout, says 'an ally must be reliable'

Warning that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/partial-us-government-shutdown-set-to-last-through-christmas-185912">the government shutdown could last longer</a>, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that all news reports concerning the US government shutdown and Syria are fake.&nbsp;

He further stated that he is working hard and negotiating with Democrats on the need for Border Security, saying that it could be a long stay.&nbsp;

In a tweet, Trump said, "I am in the White House, working hard. News reports concerning the Shutdown and Syria are mostly FAKE. We are negotiating with the Democrats on desperately needed Border Security (Gangs, Drugs, Human Trafficking &amp; more) but it could be a long stay."&nbsp;

A partial government shutdown is imminent as the United States House of Representatives and the Senate was adjourned for the evening, as President Donald Trump and lawmakers remain at odds over border wall funding.&nbsp;

Although negotiations are underway in Congress to reach an agreement in an aim to prevent a government shutdown, virtually, there is no chance that a vote will take place on Friday night (local time).&nbsp;

Talking about Syria, Trump asserted that ISIS has been largely defeated and neighbouring countries including Turkey can take care of "whatever remains."&nbsp;

"On Syria, we were originally going to be there for three months, and that was seven years ago - we never left. When I became President, ISIS was going wild. Now ISIS is largely defeated and other local countries, including Turkey, should be able to easily take care of whatever remains. We`re coming home!" Trump tweeted.&nbsp;

Trump had earlier announced that US will be withdrawing army troops from Syria after declaring the defeat of ISIS in the region.

 
&nbsp;

Warning that the government shutdown could last longer, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that all news reports concerning the US government shutdown and Syria are fake.

Warning that the government shutdown could last longer, US President Donald Trump on Saturday (local time) said that all news reports concerning the US government shutdown and Syria are fake. He further stated that he is working hard and negotiating with Democrats on the need for Border Security, saying that it could be a long stay. In a tweet, Trump said, "I am in the White House, working hard. News reports concerning the Shutdown and Syria are mostly FAKE. We are negotiating with the Democrats on desperately needed Border Security (Gangs, Drugs, Human Trafficking & more) but it could be a long stay." A partial government shutdown is imminent as the United States House of Representatives and the Senate was adjourned for the evening, as President Donald Trump and lawmakers remain at odds over border wall funding. Although negotiations are underway in Congress to reach an agreement in an aim to prevent a government shutdown, virtually, there is no chance that a vote will take place on Friday night (local time). Talking about Syria, Trump asserted that ISIS has been largely defeated and neighbouring countries including Turkey can take care of "whatever remains." "On Syria, we were originally going to be there for three months, and that was seven years ago - we never left. When I became President, ISIS was going wild. Now ISIS is largely defeated and other local countries, including Turkey, should be able to easily take care of whatever remains. We`re coming home!" Trump tweeted. Trump had earlier announced that US will be withdrawing army troops from Syria after declaring the defeat of ISIS in the region.

'News reports concerning the Shutdown and Syria are mostly FAKE': Trump

Turkey on Saturday sent military reinforcements to northern Syria near an area controlled by Kurdish forces as Ankara threatens to carry out a fresh offensive to wipe them out, a war monitor said.

The move comes after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-special-envoy-brett-mcgurk-quits-over-trump-syria-pullout-185899">US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement on Wednesday of the withdrawal of American troops</a> stationed in northeastern Syria alongside Kurdish fighters, a long-time enemy of Turkey.

Washington has for years supported the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition dominated by the People's Protection Units (YPG).

But on Wednesday Trump said he was ordering a withdrawal of the estimated 2,000 US troops in Syria because IS had been defeated, an assessment rubbished by many.

"Around 35 tanks and other heavy weapons, carried aboard tank carriers, crossed the Jarablos border crossing in the early evening," Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP.

"They headed for an area near the Sajour River, between Jarablos and Minbej, not far from the front lines where Kurdish fighters of the Minbej Military Council are stationed," he added.

Turkey accuses the YPG of being a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to drive both the YPG and IS from Syria.

Ankara fears a Kurdish state could be established on its borders, which it believes could reinforce separatist ambitions of the Kurdish minority in Turkey.

The Kurdish community accounts for 15 percent of Syria's population and controls around 30 percent of the country, as a federal region declared in 2016.

In the past two years Turkey has conducted two offensives into northern Syria. In 2016 it launched an operation against IS, which also aimed to block the YPG from joining up the territory it held in northern Syria.

And in January 2018 Turkey staged an offensive against the militia in its northwestern enclave of Afrin.

Turkey on Saturday sent military reinforcements to northern Syria near an area controlled by Kurdish forces as Ankara threatens to carry out a fresh offensive to wipe them out, a war monitor said.

Turkey on Saturday sent military reinforcements to northern Syria near an area controlled by Kurdish forces as Ankara threatens to carry out a fresh offensive to wipe them out, a war monitor said. The move comes after US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement on Wednesday of the withdrawal of American troops stationed in northeastern Syria alongside Kurdish fighters, a long-time enemy of Turkey. Washington has for years supported the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, as part of an international anti-jihadist coalition dominated by the People's Protection Units (YPG). But on Wednesday Trump said he was ordering a withdrawal of the estimated 2,000 US troops in Syria because IS had been defeated, an assessment rubbished by many. "Around 35 tanks and other heavy weapons, carried aboard tank carriers, crossed the Jarablos border crossing in the early evening," Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told AFP. "They headed for an area near the Sajour River, between Jarablos and Minbej, not far from the front lines where Kurdish fighters of the Minbej Military Council are stationed," he added. Turkey accuses the YPG of being a "terrorist offshoot" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday vowed to drive both the YPG and IS from Syria. Ankara fears a Kurdish state could be established on its borders, which it believes could reinforce separatist ambitions of the Kurdish minority in Turkey. The Kurdish community accounts for 15 percent of Syria's population and controls around 30 percent of the country, as a federal region declared in 2016. In the past two years Turkey has conducted two offensives into northern Syria. In 2016 it launched an operation against IS, which also aimed to block the YPG from joining up the territory it held in northern Syria. And in January 2018 Turkey staged an offensive against the militia in its northwestern enclave of Afrin.

After Trump says US pulling out, Turkey sends troops into northern Syria: War monitor

The Bulgarian government has asked the European Union (EU) for an extra 80 million euros ($90 million) to beef up its border control on the influx of refugees.

The EU had reportedly allocated 150 million euros ($170 million) for <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/germany-arrests-suspect-over-killing-of-bulgarian-journalist-170693">Bulgaria</a> to consolidate its border control.

Bulgaria said strengthening its border control will also boost the security of the EU's external border.

Ivo Tsekov, a professor on Balkan international relations of Sofia University, said an influx of refugees into Bulgaria is an issue that concerns both Bulgaria and the EU.

"Obviously, there has been a huge influx of people including in the last couple of years, coming from the Middle East, mostly fleeing from Syria but also from central Asia or North Africa. And at some point, this has become an issue for Bulgaria because we need to properly establish certain protocols, if you will, as to who enters Bulgaria and thereby into the European Union. And in that sense, the question is much bigger than only about Bulgaria. It's about the European Union security and about the European Union external borders," said Teskov.

Since the European migrant crisis began in 2015, a large number of refugees have tried to reach western and northern European nations by way of Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian government has asked the European Union (EU) for an extra 80 million euros ($90 million) to beef up its border control on the influx of refugees. The EU had reportedly allocated 150 million euros ($170 million) for Bulgaria to consolidate its border control.

The Bulgarian government has asked the European Union (EU) for an extra 80 million euros ($90 million) to beef up its border control on the influx of refugees. The EU had reportedly allocated 150 million euros ($170 million) for Bulgaria to consolidate its border control. Bulgaria said strengthening its border control will also boost the security of the EU's external border. Ivo Tsekov, a professor on Balkan international relations of Sofia University, said an influx of refugees into Bulgaria is an issue that concerns both Bulgaria and the EU. "Obviously, there has been a huge influx of people including in the last couple of years, coming from the Middle East, mostly fleeing from Syria but also from central Asia or North Africa. And at some point, this has become an issue for Bulgaria because we need to properly establish certain protocols, if you will, as to who enters Bulgaria and thereby into the European Union. And in that sense, the question is much bigger than only about Bulgaria. It's about the European Union security and about the European Union external borders," said Teskov. Since the European migrant crisis began in 2015, a large number of refugees have tried to reach western and northern European nations by way of Turkey, Greece and Bulgaria.

Bulgaria requests EU for 80 million euros more for border control

US special envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS, Brett McGurk, has submitted his resignation ahead of his departure planned in February, news agency AFP reported quoting CBS.&nbsp;

McGurk's resignation came as a result of "strong disagreement" with President Donald Trump's decision to pull <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-right-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-syria-says-putin-185511">US troops out of Syria</a>.&nbsp;

This comes a day after Trump's Defense Secretary <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-defence-secretary-jim-mattis-exit-sparks-concern-among-us-allies-185709">Jim Mattis quit</a> on the back of same decision.

Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned on Thursday, a day after President Donald Trump stunned the US establishment by ordering a troop withdrawal from Syria.

"My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades' immersion in these issues," Mattis wrote.

"Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position."

Trump on Wednesday declared in a video message that "we won" and said that the troops are "coming back now."&nbsp;

US special envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS, Brett McGurk, has submitted his resignation ahead of his departure planned in February, news agency AFP reported quoting CBS.

US special envoy for the global coalition to defeat ISIS, Brett McGurk, has submitted his resignation ahead of his departure planned in February, news agency AFP reported quoting CBS. McGurk's resignation came as a result of "strong disagreement" with President Donald Trump's decision to pull US troops out of Syria. This comes a day after Trump's Defense Secretary Jim Mattis quit on the back of same decision. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis resigned on Thursday, a day after President Donald Trump stunned the US establishment by ordering a troop withdrawal from Syria. "My views on treating allies with respect and also being clear-eyed about both malign actors and strategic competitors are strongly held and informed by over four decades' immersion in these issues," Mattis wrote. "Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours on these and other subjects, I believe it is right for me to step down from my position." Trump on Wednesday declared in a video message that "we won" and said that the troops are "coming back now."

US special envoy Brett McGurk quits over Trump's decision to pull troops from Syria

After <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-defends-pullout-from-syria-says-time-for-others-to-finally-fight-185539">US President Donald Trump</a> announced to withdraw around 2,000 US <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/air-strikes-by-us-led-coalition-kill-27-in-eastern-syria-war-monitor-185720">troops from Syria</a>, Iran on Saturday said the US presence in Syria had been "wrong and illogical" from the start.

"The presence of American forces was from the very start, in principle, a wrong and illogical move and a primary cause of instability and insecurity in the region," said Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi.

On November 19, Trump tweeted out saying,&nbsp;"We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency." After the tweet, a US official confirmed that troops will be pulled back from Syria.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075397797929775105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Later, Trump also tweeted defending his controversial decision, adding that the United States does not want to be the "Policeman" of the Middle East.

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Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075721703421042688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Russian president Vladimir Putin backed Trump's decision and said, "The fact that the US has decided to withdraw its troops is right."&nbsp;

Putin also said that "as concerns victory over IS, on the whole I agree with the US president," adding that "we have dealt serious blows against IS in Syria."

The US withdrawal could have major geopolitical ramifications, and plunges into uncertainty the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists, thousands of whom are thought to remain in Syria.

After US President Donald Trump announced to withdraw around 2,000 US troops from Syria, Iran on Saturday said the US presence in Syria had been "wrong and illogical" from the start.

After US President Donald Trump announced to withdraw around 2,000 US troops from Syria, Iran on Saturday said the US presence in Syria had been "wrong and illogical" from the start. "The presence of American forces was from the very start, in principle, a wrong and illogical move and a primary cause of instability and insecurity in the region," said Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi. On November 19, Trump tweeted out saying, "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency." After the tweet, a US official confirmed that troops will be pulled back from Syria. We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there during the Trump Presidency. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018 × Later, Trump also tweeted defending his controversial decision, adding that the United States does not want to be the "Policeman" of the Middle East. Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018 × Russian president Vladimir Putin backed Trump's decision and said, "The fact that the US has decided to withdraw its troops is right." Putin also said that "as concerns victory over IS, on the whole I agree with the US president," adding that "we have dealt serious blows against IS in Syria." The US withdrawal could have major geopolitical ramifications, and plunges into uncertainty the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists, thousands of whom are thought to remain in Syria.

Presence of US forces in Syria 'wrong and illogical' move from start: Iran

Nearly 300,000 Syrians have returned to their country after Turkey's two cross-border operations in northern Syria, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was quoted as saying on Saturday.

Turkey has carried out two operations, dubbed "Euphrates Shield" and "Olive Branch", against Kurdish YPG militia and Islamic State in northern Syria. Ankara regards the US-backed YPG as a terrorist organisation.

Turkey hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees who have fled the conflict in their homeland. Some Turks view them as an economic burden and a threat to jobs.

"The number of Syrians that returned to their country after the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations is 291,790," Soylu was quoted by state-owned Anadolu news agency as saying.

The Turkish military pushed into Syria northwest in two offensives, carving out a de facto buffer zone.

The first, "Euphrates Shield" in 2016, drove Islamic State from territory along the border. The second, "Olive Branch", wrestled the nearby Afrin region from the hands of Syrian Kurdish forces this spring.

Soylu also said that more than 250,000 illegal migrants had been caught in Turkey in 2018, without specifying their nationalities, adding that this showed a jump of more than 50 percent from the previous year.

He said stepped up efforts by Turkish police and security forces and the coastguard to clamp down on illegal migration had curbed the flow of migrants to countries in Western Europe.

Turkey became one of the main launch points for more than a million migrants from the Middle East and Africa taking the sea route to European Union territory in 2015.

The influx of migrants was drastically curtailed by a 2016 accord between Ankara and the EU to close the route after hundreds died crossing to Greek islands.

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey would postpone a planned military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria as he "cautiously" welcomed Washington's decision to withdraw its troops in the area. 
&nbsp;

Nearly 300,000 Syrians have returned to their country after Turkey's two cross-border operations in northern Syria, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was quoted as saying on Saturday.

Nearly 300,000 Syrians have returned to their country after Turkey's two cross-border operations in northern Syria, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was quoted as saying on Saturday. Turkey has carried out two operations, dubbed "Euphrates Shield" and "Olive Branch", against Kurdish YPG militia and Islamic State in northern Syria. Ankara regards the US-backed YPG as a terrorist organisation. Turkey hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees who have fled the conflict in their homeland. Some Turks view them as an economic burden and a threat to jobs. "The number of Syrians that returned to their country after the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations is 291,790," Soylu was quoted by state-owned Anadolu news agency as saying. The Turkish military pushed into Syria northwest in two offensives, carving out a de facto buffer zone. The first, "Euphrates Shield" in 2016, drove Islamic State from territory along the border. The second, "Olive Branch", wrestled the nearby Afrin region from the hands of Syrian Kurdish forces this spring. Soylu also said that more than 250,000 illegal migrants had been caught in Turkey in 2018, without specifying their nationalities, adding that this showed a jump of more than 50 percent from the previous year. He said stepped up efforts by Turkish police and security forces and the coastguard to clamp down on illegal migration had curbed the flow of migrants to countries in Western Europe. Turkey became one of the main launch points for more than a million migrants from the Middle East and Africa taking the sea route to European Union territory in 2015. The influx of migrants was drastically curtailed by a 2016 accord between Ankara and the EU to close the route after hundreds died crossing to Greek islands. President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey would postpone a planned military operation against Syrian Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria as he "cautiously" welcomed Washington's decision to withdraw its troops in the area.

Turkey says nearly 300,000 Syrians return home after military operations

US politicians and international allies scrambled Friday to make sense of President Donald Trump's momentous foreign<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-backed-forces-expel-is-from-east-syria-hub-184123"> policy decisions for Syria </a>and Afghanistan — epic reversals that prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to quit.

Trump's historic moves to pull out of<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/syria-calls-us-french-turkish-forces-withdraw-immediately-168468"> Syria </a>and slash troop numbers in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-troops-withdrawal-will-not-have-security-impact-on-afghanistan-presidential-spokesman-185677">Afghanistan </a>run counter to years of US doctrine in the region and set the stage for a cascading series of events that could well result in more bloodshed across a scarred region.

While many Americans —and not just his supporters — lauded Trump's decision, fed up after years of costly and spiralling conflicts, politicians of every stripe were tripping over each other to voice their condemnation.

"Reducing the American presence in Afghanistan and removing our presence in Syria will reverse... progress, encourage our adversaries, and make America less safe," said Republican Congressman Mac Thornberry, a Trump ally who heads the House Armed Services Committee.

In the Pentagon, no one seemed to know what comes next.&nbsp;

"We are referring all questions to the White House," one spokeswoman said when asked about the momentous Afghanistan withdrawal.

Mattis, who was seen as a voice of moderation and widely trusted by allies, resigned Thursday after telling Trump he could not abide the Syria decision.

It leaves vulnerable to Turkish attack thousands of Kurdish fighters the Pentagon has spent years training and arming to fight the Islamic State group.

'No surprise'&nbsp;

In Afghanistan, the Taliban welcomed Trump's partial pull out, with a spokesman saying the group was "more than happy."

Bill Roggio, an Afghanistan expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told AFP the Trump administration's Middle East policy is in disarray.&nbsp;

"I do not know what its policy is, specifically with respect to what was known as the War on Terror," he said.&nbsp;

"Until Trump articulates a policy, it appears isolationism has won the day."

Trump campaigned on a pledge of "America First" and vowed to limit US engagement overseas, so his action on Afghanistan and Syria aren't bolted from the blue, and many observers were pleased with his actions.&nbsp;

Just weeks before Mattis announced a surge of troops in Afghanistan in August 2017, polls showed Americans were weary of war and lacked confidence that Washington had any winning strategy.

A Morning Consult-Politico poll at the time showed only 23 per cent of people thought the US was "winning" in Afghanistan; 38 per cent thought it was "losing."

"Trump ran on a platform of non-intervention, 'no more stupid wars,' and promised to get out of the nation-building business," Daniel Davis, a retired army lieutenant colonel and senior fellow at the Defense Priorities military think tank, told AFP.

"That, in general terms, is his policy, which is fundamentally sound."

In March, Trump said he wanted to bring troops home "soon" from Syria and last year, when he agreed to boost the US troop presence in Afghanistan, he said he was doing so against his own instincts.

"Getting out of Syria was no surprise," Trump tweeted on Thursday.&nbsp;

"I've been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer," he added, noting that it was "time to come home" and "time for others to finally fight."

'Strategic mistake'&nbsp;

Trump claims IS has been defeated territorially in Syria, even though thousands of fighters remain and still hold small pockets of land.

His withdrawal from Syria abruptly ends American influence in the war-ravaged country and gives the Turks an opening to attack US-backed Kurds.&nbsp;

Trump reportedly made the decision during a phone call last week with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

By ceding Syria, Trump is also yanking a keystone of his own administration's foreign policy: to push back against Iran, which supports President Bashar al-Assad and is seeking to expand regional influence.

"This is a huge strategic mistake that I hope the president will reconsider," Jack Keane, a retired general, told Fox News.

"If he does not, I believe with some degree of confidence that he will come to regret this decision."

Keane has been one of the names in the Washington rumour mill to replace Mattis.&nbsp;

He went on to warn that Trump was repeating the "mistakes" of President Barack Obama, who for years drew withering criticism from Republicans for pulling US troops out of Iraq, only to see the emergence of IS.

Trump's withdrawal orders, meanwhile, rattled Europe.&nbsp;

French Defense Minister Florence Parly said there was still "has a job to finish" in Syria and called on the US to discuss its withdrawal with other members of a coalition fighting IS.&nbsp;

Britain's junior defence minister Tobias Ellwood had contradicted Trump on Wednesday, retweeting his message that the jihadists had been defeated in Syria with the words: "I strongly disagree.

"It has morphed into other forms of extremism and the threat is very much alive," he wrote.

US politicians and international allies scrambled Friday to make sense of President Donald Trump's momentous foreign policy decisions for Syria and Afghanistan — epic reversals that prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to quit.

US politicians and international allies scrambled Friday to make sense of President Donald Trump's momentous foreign policy decisions for Syria and Afghanistan — epic reversals that prompted Defense Secretary Jim Mattis to quit. Trump's historic moves to pull out of Syria and slash troop numbers in Afghanistan run counter to years of US doctrine in the region and set the stage for a cascading series of events that could well result in more bloodshed across a scarred region. While many Americans —and not just his supporters — lauded Trump's decision, fed up after years of costly and spiralling conflicts, politicians of every stripe were tripping over each other to voice their condemnation. "Reducing the American presence in Afghanistan and removing our presence in Syria will reverse... progress, encourage our adversaries, and make America less safe," said Republican Congressman Mac Thornberry, a Trump ally who heads the House Armed Services Committee. In the Pentagon, no one seemed to know what comes next. "We are referring all questions to the White House," one spokeswoman said when asked about the momentous Afghanistan withdrawal. Mattis, who was seen as a voice of moderation and widely trusted by allies, resigned Thursday after telling Trump he could not abide the Syria decision. It leaves vulnerable to Turkish attack thousands of Kurdish fighters the Pentagon has spent years training and arming to fight the Islamic State group. 'No surprise' In Afghanistan, the Taliban welcomed Trump's partial pull out, with a spokesman saying the group was "more than happy." Bill Roggio, an Afghanistan expert and senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told AFP the Trump administration's Middle East policy is in disarray. "I do not know what its policy is, specifically with respect to what was known as the War on Terror," he said. "Until Trump articulates a policy, it appears isolationism has won the day." Trump campaigned on a pledge of "America First" and vowed to limit US engagement overseas, so his action on Afghanistan and Syria aren't bolted from the blue, and many observers were pleased with his actions. Just weeks before Mattis announced a surge of troops in Afghanistan in August 2017, polls showed Americans were weary of war and lacked confidence that Washington had any winning strategy. A Morning Consult-Politico poll at the time showed only 23 per cent of people thought the US was "winning" in Afghanistan; 38 per cent thought it was "losing." "Trump ran on a platform of non-intervention, 'no more stupid wars,' and promised to get out of the nation-building business," Daniel Davis, a retired army lieutenant colonel and senior fellow at the Defense Priorities military think tank, told AFP. "That, in general terms, is his policy, which is fundamentally sound." In March, Trump said he wanted to bring troops home "soon" from Syria and last year, when he agreed to boost the US troop presence in Afghanistan, he said he was doing so against his own instincts. "Getting out of Syria was no surprise," Trump tweeted on Thursday. "I've been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer," he added, noting that it was "time to come home" and "time for others to finally fight." 'Strategic mistake' Trump claims IS has been defeated territorially in Syria, even though thousands of fighters remain and still hold small pockets of land. His withdrawal from Syria abruptly ends American influence in the war-ravaged country and gives the Turks an opening to attack US-backed Kurds. Trump reportedly made the decision during a phone call last week with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. By ceding Syria, Trump is also yanking a keystone of his own administration's foreign policy: to push back against Iran, which supports President Bashar al-Assad and is seeking to expand regional influence. "This is a huge strategic mistake that I hope the president will reconsider," Jack Keane, a retired general, told Fox News. "If he does not, I believe with some degree of confidence that he will come to regret this decision." Keane has been one of the names in the Washington rumour mill to replace Mattis. He went on to warn that Trump was repeating the "mistakes" of President Barack Obama, who for years drew withering criticism from Republicans for pulling US troops out of Iraq, only to see the emergence of IS. Trump's withdrawal orders, meanwhile, rattled Europe. French Defense Minister Florence Parly said there was still "has a job to finish" in Syria and called on the US to discuss its withdrawal with other members of a coalition fighting IS. Britain's junior defence minister Tobias Ellwood had contradicted Trump on Wednesday, retweeting his message that the jihadists had been defeated in Syria with the words: "I strongly disagree. "It has morphed into other forms of extremism and the threat is very much alive," he wrote.

Trump's foreign policy in spotlight after military withdrawals

Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria may not be able to continue hold Islamic State prisoners if the situation in the region gets out of control, top Syrian Kurdish official Ilham Ahmed said on Friday.

Speaking alongside her at a Paris news conference, Riad Darar, co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council, said they hoped France would play a more active role in Syria after <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pressures-democrats-warns-government-may-close-for-very-long-time-185701">US President Donald Trump</a> decided to withdraw US forces.

"Under the threat of the Turkish state, and with the possibility of Daesh (Islamic State) reviving once again, I fear the situation will go out of control and we no longer be able to contain them," Ahmed said when asked if the SDF was considering releasing hundreds of IS detainees.

The two had earlier met advisers to French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Trump's decision, which took US allies by surprise. French officials declined to immediately comment.

France has about 200 special forces personnel operating in Syria's Kurdish areas as well as heavy artillery as part of efforts to rout Islamic State in its remaining pockets. It is also carrying out air strikes.

"We do not share the analyses that the territorial caliphate (of Islamic State) has been annihilated," French Defence Minister Florence Parly said on RTL radio, disagreeing with Trump's assessment.

"It's an extremely grave decision and we think ... the job must be finished."

Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria may not be able to continue hold Islamic State prisoners if the situation in the region gets out of control, top Syrian Kurdish official Ilham Ahmed said on Friday.

Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria may not be able to continue hold Islamic State prisoners if the situation in the region gets out of control, top Syrian Kurdish official Ilham Ahmed said on Friday. Speaking alongside her at a Paris news conference, Riad Darar, co-chair of the Syrian Democratic Council, said they hoped France would play a more active role in Syria after US President Donald Trump decided to withdraw US forces. "Under the threat of the Turkish state, and with the possibility of Daesh (Islamic State) reviving once again, I fear the situation will go out of control and we no longer be able to contain them," Ahmed said when asked if the SDF was considering releasing hundreds of IS detainees. The two had earlier met advisers to French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Trump's decision, which took US allies by surprise. French officials declined to immediately comment. France has about 200 special forces personnel operating in Syria's Kurdish areas as well as heavy artillery as part of efforts to rout Islamic State in its remaining pockets. It is also carrying out air strikes. "We do not share the analyses that the territorial caliphate (of Islamic State) has been annihilated," French Defence Minister Florence Parly said on RTL radio, disagreeing with Trump's assessment. "It's an extremely grave decision and we think ... the job must be finished."

Kurdish-led forces in Syria may not be able to contain IS prisoners: Official

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusgolu on Friday welcomed the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-troops-withdrawal-will-not-have-security-impact-on-afghanistan-presidential-spokesman-185677">United States' decision to withdraw its troops from Syria</a> and said Washington should coordinate with Ankara on the pull-out.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-concerned-about-being-impeached-report-183111">US&nbsp;President Donald Trump</a>'s announcement that the United States would withdraw its 2,000 troops has upended a pillar of American policy in the Middle East. Critics say it will make it harder to find a diplomatic solution to Syria's seven-year-old civil war.

But for&nbsp;Turkey, Trump's abrupt move marks the removal of a major source of friction with the United States. The two NATO allies have long been at odds over Syria, where Washington has backed Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters.&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;considers the YPG a terrorist organisation.

"With regards to the withdrawal, the decision of the United States to withdraw from Syria, we welcome that decision and&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;fully support the territorial integrity of (Syria)," Cavusoglu told reporters in Malta, during an official visit.

"We need to coordinate this withdrawal with the United States and we are already in touch at different levels."

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/one-of-khashoggi-killers-said-i-know-how-to-cut-on-audio-president-tayyip-erdogan-184113">President Tayyip Erdogan</a> said this week&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;might start a new military operation in Syria at any moment. Its forces have intervened to sweep YPG and Islamic State fighters from territory west of the Euphrates over the past two years. It has not gone east of the river, partly to avoid direct confrontation with US&nbsp;forces.

Turkey&nbsp;has repeatedly voiced frustration over what it says is the slow implementation of a deal with Washington to pull YPG fighters out of Manbij, a town in mainly Arab territory west of the Euphrates.

"We have the Manbij roadmap, we discussed whether we can implement this by the time that they (US&nbsp;forces) withdraw," Cavusoglu said, referring to the Manbij deal.

"So many issues that&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;and the United States should coordinate (on) and there shouldn't be any vacuum in the country that terrorist groups might also fill."

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusgolu on Friday welcomed the United States' decision to withdraw its troops from Syria and said Washington should coordinate with Ankara on the pull-out.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusgolu on Friday welcomed the United States' decision to withdraw its troops from Syria and said Washington should coordinate with Ankara on the pull-out. US President Donald Trump's announcement that the United States would withdraw its 2,000 troops has upended a pillar of American policy in the Middle East. Critics say it will make it harder to find a diplomatic solution to Syria's seven-year-old civil war. But for Turkey, Trump's abrupt move marks the removal of a major source of friction with the United States. The two NATO allies have long been at odds over Syria, where Washington has backed Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters. Turkey considers the YPG a terrorist organisation. "With regards to the withdrawal, the decision of the United States to withdraw from Syria, we welcome that decision and Turkey fully support the territorial integrity of (Syria)," Cavusoglu told reporters in Malta, during an official visit. "We need to coordinate this withdrawal with the United States and we are already in touch at different levels." President Tayyip Erdogan said this week Turkey might start a new military operation in Syria at any moment. Its forces have intervened to sweep YPG and Islamic State fighters from territory west of the Euphrates over the past two years. It has not gone east of the river, partly to avoid direct confrontation with US forces. Turkey has repeatedly voiced frustration over what it says is the slow implementation of a deal with Washington to pull YPG fighters out of Manbij, a town in mainly Arab territory west of the Euphrates. "We have the Manbij roadmap, we discussed whether we can implement this by the time that they (US forces) withdraw," Cavusoglu said, referring to the Manbij deal. "So many issues that Turkey and the United States should coordinate (on) and there shouldn't be any vacuum in the country that terrorist groups might also fill."

Turkey welcomes US decision to withdraw from Syria

Israel will study a US decision <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-islamic-state-defeated-us-will-pull-all-forces-out-of-syira-185369">to pull its forces from Syria</a> and will ensure its own security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

Netanyahu in a statement said he had <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-backed-forces-expel-is-from-east-syria-hub-184123">spoken over the past two days</a> with the US president and secretary of state about their intention to withdraw US forces from Syria.

"They made clear they have other ways to have influence in the area," Netanyahu said.

"We will study the timeline, how it will be done and of course the implications for us. In any case, we will make sure to maintain Israel's security and protect ourselves from this arena," he said.

Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that he was 'stunned' by President Donald Trump's 'precipitous' decision to withdraw US troops from Syria.

Hours after Trump tweeted that "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there," Corker told reporters that the decision had not been communicated in advance.

A decision to pull out completely, confirmed by US officials, coincides with the roughly 2,000 US troops finishing up a campaign to retake territory once held by Islamic State militants.

But it could leave the United States with few options to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State. It could also undercut US leverage in the region and undermine diplomatic efforts to end the Syrian civil war, which is now in its eighth year.

The withdrawal drew swift criticism from some of Trump's fellow Republicans, who said that leaving strengthened the hand of Russia and Iran, which both support Syrian President Bashar al Assad.

It may also leave exposed an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which has been among the most effective against Islamic State but is under threat as Turkey weighs a new offensive in Syria.

US commanders on the ground, who have developed strong ties to SDF leaders, had voiced concerns about what a fast withdrawal would mean for the US-backed forces and were surprised by the decision, US officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Israel will study a US decision to pull its forces from Syria and will ensure its own security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Netanyahu in a statement said he had spoken over the past two days with the US president and secretary of state about their intention to withdraw US forces from Syria.

Israel will study a US decision to pull its forces from Syria and will ensure its own security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Netanyahu in a statement said he had spoken over the past two days with the US president and secretary of state about their intention to withdraw US forces from Syria. "They made clear they have other ways to have influence in the area," Netanyahu said. "We will study the timeline, how it will be done and of course the implications for us. In any case, we will make sure to maintain Israel's security and protect ourselves from this arena," he said. Republican Senator Bob Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that he was 'stunned' by President Donald Trump's 'precipitous' decision to withdraw US troops from Syria. Hours after Trump tweeted that "We have defeated ISIS in Syria, my only reason for being there," Corker told reporters that the decision had not been communicated in advance. A decision to pull out completely, confirmed by US officials, coincides with the roughly 2,000 US troops finishing up a campaign to retake territory once held by Islamic State militants. But it could leave the United States with few options to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State. It could also undercut US leverage in the region and undermine diplomatic efforts to end the Syrian civil war, which is now in its eighth year. The withdrawal drew swift criticism from some of Trump's fellow Republicans, who said that leaving strengthened the hand of Russia and Iran, which both support Syrian President Bashar al Assad. It may also leave exposed an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which has been among the most effective against Islamic State but is under threat as Turkey weighs a new offensive in Syria. US commanders on the ground, who have developed strong ties to SDF leaders, had voiced concerns about what a fast withdrawal would mean for the US-backed forces and were surprised by the decision, US officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Will protect ourselves, says Israeli PM Netanyahu as Trump decides to pullout US troops from Syria

France will keep troops in northern Syria for now because Islamic State militants have not been wiped out, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-defends-pullout-from-syria-says-time-for-others-to-finally-fight-185539">contrary to the US view</a>, and has started talks with the United States on the conditions and calendar of its withdrawal, officials said.

France is a leading member of the US-led coalition fighting militants in Syria and Iraq and has around 1,000 troops including special forces based in the north of the country, deployed alongside local Kurdish and Arab forces.

French diplomats told Reuters on Wednesday President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw all 2,000 US troops from the region had taken Paris by surprise. US officials justified the decision by saying Islamic State had been defeated.

"It shows that we can have different priorities and that we must count on ourselves first," Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau told C-News television. "For now, of course we are staying in Syria because the fight against Islamic State is essential."

France is especially sensitive to the Islamic State threat after several major deadly attacks on its soil and officials believe the militant group continues to pose a threat. Hundreds of French nationals have joined the group in Syria.

In a statement, the foreign ministry said Paris and its coalition allies had started talks with Washington on the timeframe and conditions for the U.S withdrawal.

"The protection of the populations of northeastern Syria and the stability of this zone must be taken into account by the United States to avoid any new humanitarian drama and any return of the terrorists," it said.

It said Paris would be careful to ensure the security of all the U.S. partners in the area, including the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces, who fear an assault from Turkey.

President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Trump on Wednesday, diplomats said. In April, when Trump previously announced a U.S. withdrawal, Macron persuaded the U.S. leader that Washington should stay engaged by citing the threat of Iran in the region.

"Islamic State has not been wiped from the map nor have its roots. The last pockets of this terrorist organisation must be defeated militarily once and for all," Defence Minister Florence Parly said on Twitter..

French officials are scrambling to find out from U.S. agencies exactly what Trump's announcement means. The United States has been unclear on when the troops will be withdrawn.

"We’re used to it now with the Trump administration. The devil is in the detail," said a French diplomat.

France has about 1,100 troops as part of its Chammal operation against Islamic State. About 500 provide logistics, training and heavy artillery support with the remainder either working from Jordan, where most fighter jets take off to strike targets, vessels in the Mediterranean and Gulf or smaller contingents in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait.

Its presence in Syria includes dozens of special forces, military advisers and some foreign office personnel.

France will keep troops in northern Syria for now because Islamic State militants have not been wiped out, contrary to the US view, and has started talks with the United States on the conditions and calendar of its withdrawal, officials said.

France will keep troops in northern Syria for now because Islamic State militants have not been wiped out, contrary to the US view, and has started talks with the United States on the conditions and calendar of its withdrawal, officials said. France is a leading member of the US-led coalition fighting militants in Syria and Iraq and has around 1,000 troops including special forces based in the north of the country, deployed alongside local Kurdish and Arab forces. French diplomats told Reuters on Wednesday President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw all 2,000 US troops from the region had taken Paris by surprise. US officials justified the decision by saying Islamic State had been defeated. "It shows that we can have different priorities and that we must count on ourselves first," Europe Minister Nathalie Loiseau told C-News television. "For now, of course we are staying in Syria because the fight against Islamic State is essential." France is especially sensitive to the Islamic State threat after several major deadly attacks on its soil and officials believe the militant group continues to pose a threat. Hundreds of French nationals have joined the group in Syria. In a statement, the foreign ministry said Paris and its coalition allies had started talks with Washington on the timeframe and conditions for the U.S withdrawal. "The protection of the populations of northeastern Syria and the stability of this zone must be taken into account by the United States to avoid any new humanitarian drama and any return of the terrorists," it said. It said Paris would be careful to ensure the security of all the U.S. partners in the area, including the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces, who fear an assault from Turkey. President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Trump on Wednesday, diplomats said. In April, when Trump previously announced a U.S. withdrawal, Macron persuaded the U.S. leader that Washington should stay engaged by citing the threat of Iran in the region. "Islamic State has not been wiped from the map nor have its roots. The last pockets of this terrorist organisation must be defeated militarily once and for all," Defence Minister Florence Parly said on Twitter.. French officials are scrambling to find out from U.S. agencies exactly what Trump's announcement means. The United States has been unclear on when the troops will be withdrawn. "We’re used to it now with the Trump administration. The devil is in the detail," said a French diplomat. France has about 1,100 troops as part of its Chammal operation against Islamic State. About 500 provide logistics, training and heavy artillery support with the remainder either working from Jordan, where most fighter jets take off to strike targets, vessels in the Mediterranean and Gulf or smaller contingents in the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait. Its presence in Syria includes dozens of special forces, military advisers and some foreign office personnel.

France says Islamic State not defeated, troops to remain in Syria

The United States does not want to be the "Policeman" of the Middle East, US President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday, as he defended <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-right-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-syria-says-putin-185511">his controversial decision to pull US forces out of Syria</a>.

"Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight....," he tweeted.

Trump added: "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-right-to-pull-us-troops-out-of-syria-says-putin-185511">Russia, Iran, Syria &amp; many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says</a>, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us.&nbsp;

"I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed!"

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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After historic victories against ISIS, it’s time to bring our great young people home! <a href="https://t.co/xoNjFzQFTp">pic.twitter.com/xoNjFzQFTp</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075528854402256896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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Getting out of Syria was no surprise. I’ve been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer. Russia, Iran, Syria &amp; others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there work. Time to come home &amp; rebuild. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAGA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MAGA</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075718191253504001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075721703421042688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

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....Russia, Iran, Syria &amp; many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us. I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1075726666574544896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The US president faced intense opposition to his abrupt announcement Wednesday that Islamic State had been defeated in the region, and that he was ordering the 2,000 US troops in Syria to exit the country.

Trump's decision runs counter to long-established US policy for Syria and the region. It blindsided lawmakers, the Pentagon and international allies alike.

"Getting out of Syria was no surprise," Trump wrote in an earlier tweet. "I've been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer.&nbsp;

"Russia, Iran, Syria &amp; others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there work. Time to come home &amp; rebuild. #MAGA"

The US withdrawal could have major geopolitical ramifications, and plunges into uncertainty the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists, thousands of whom are thought to remain in Syria.

The United States does not want to be the "Policeman" of the Middle East, US President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday, as he defended his controversial decision to pull US forces out of Syria.

The United States does not want to be the "Policeman" of the Middle East, US President Donald Trump tweeted Thursday, as he defended his controversial decision to pull US forces out of Syria. "Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight....," he tweeted. Trump added: "Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us. "I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed!" After historic victories against ISIS, it’s time to bring our great young people home! pic.twitter.com/xoNjFzQFTp — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 19, 2018 × Getting out of Syria was no surprise. I’ve been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer. Russia, Iran, Syria & others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there work. Time to come home & rebuild. #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018 × Does the USA want to be the Policeman of the Middle East, getting NOTHING but spending precious lives and trillions of dollars protecting others who, in almost all cases, do not appreciate what we are doing? Do we want to be there forever? Time for others to finally fight..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018 × ....Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy about the U.S. leaving, despite what the Fake News says, because now they will have to fight ISIS and others, who they hate, without us. I am building by far the most powerful military in the world. ISIS hits us they are doomed! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2018 × The US president faced intense opposition to his abrupt announcement Wednesday that Islamic State had been defeated in the region, and that he was ordering the 2,000 US troops in Syria to exit the country. Trump's decision runs counter to long-established US policy for Syria and the region. It blindsided lawmakers, the Pentagon and international allies alike. "Getting out of Syria was no surprise," Trump wrote in an earlier tweet. "I've been campaigning on it for years, and six months ago, when I very publicly wanted to do it, I agreed to stay longer. "Russia, Iran, Syria & others are the local enemy of ISIS. We were doing there work. Time to come home & rebuild. #MAGA" The US withdrawal could have major geopolitical ramifications, and plunges into uncertainty the fate of US-backed Kurdish fighters who have been tackling Islamic State jihadists, thousands of whom are thought to remain in Syria.

Trump defends pullout from Syria, says 'time for others to finally fight'

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