A U.S. soldier looks through binoculars to make visual contact with Turkish soldiers conducting a coordinated, independent patrol along the demarcation line near a village outside Manbij, Syria, July 16, 2018. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy R. Koster
Defense One: Mattis: US Troops Can’t Leave Syria Until UN Peace Talks Advance
They’re still fighting ISIS remnants, holding ground, and waiting for a political solution.
In March, President Donald Trump said that “very soon” he would bring U.S. troops home from Syria. Today, his defense secretary suggested any such drawdown remains far off.
In a rare Pentagon press conference, James Mattis said a drawdown must wait for more diplomatic progress toward a United Nations-negotiated peace in Geneva that deposes Syria’s Bashar al-Assad. Yet Assad continues to consolidate his power against a dwindling rebel movement, aided by Russia and Iran, even as pockets of ISIS fighters stand their ground.
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WNU Editor: I doubt that there are going to be any UN peace talks.
