Donald Trump has told Benjamin Netanyahu that the US is paying billions of dollars a-year for Israeli security, and that Tel Aviv should not be worried about losing its influence in the region after US troops withdraw from Syria. “I spoke with Bibi [Benjamin Netanyahu]. I told Bibi, you know we give Israel 4.5 billion dollars a year. And they are doing very well at defending themselves,” Trump told reporters on his way back from Iraq where he paid a surprise visit to US soldiers stationed there. “We are going to take great care of Israel. Israel is going to be good,” US president added, replying to a question on how his announced withdrawal from Syria will impact Israel. And we give, frankly, a lot more than that, if you look at the books. Israel, already the largest recipient of American foreign aid since World War II, managed during the presidency of Barack Obama to secure another $38 billion military aid package over the next 10 years. This amount, … [Read more...] about ‘We give them $4.5bn a year’: Israel will still be ‘good’ after US withdrawal from Syria – Trump
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US presence in Syria ‘illogical’
Iran's foreign ministry says the US military presence in Syria has been "a mistake, illogical and a source of tension", in response to President Donald Trump's planned pull-out. Mr Trump has begun what will be a total withdrawal of US troops from Syria, saying they have succeeded in their mission to defeat Islamic State and were no longer needed in the country. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi was on Saturday quoted by state media saying the US should never have been there. "From the start, the entry and presence of American forces in the region has been a mistake, illogical and a source of tension, and a main cause of instability," Mr Qasemi was quoted as saying. Mr Trump said in a tweet on Thursday that "Russia, Iran, Syria & many others are not happy" about the planned US withdrawal. Iran, a key supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Syria's civil war, has sent military "advisers" as well as military equipment and regional Shi'ite militias to fight … [Read more...] about US presence in Syria ‘illogical’
Trump call with Turkish leader ‘led to US pullout from Syria’
Trump call with Turkish leader ‘led to US pullout from Syria’ BelfastTelegraph.co.uk President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from Syria was made hastily, without consulting his national security team or allies, according to US and Turkish officials. https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/trump-call-with-turkish-leader-led-to-us-pullout-from-syria-37648766.html https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/article37648761.ece/ec0eb/AUTOCROP/h342/bpanews_8707e5e3-90eb-4b29-a8d6-913b7219f054_1 Email President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops from Syria was made hastily, without consulting his national security team or allies, according to US and Turkish officials. It also came over strong objections from virtually everyone involved in the fight against Islamic State, the officials added. Mr Trump stunned his cabinet, politicians and much of the world with the move by rejecting the advice of his top … [Read more...] about Trump call with Turkish leader ‘led to US pullout from Syria’
US involvement in Syria since 2011
Here is a recap of Washington's involvement in the Syrian conflict, following the decision by President Donald Trump to withdraw US troops stationed in the country. - Pressure on Assad - On April 29, 2011 in response to a bloody regime crackdown against protests, Washington slaps sanctions and assets freezes on several Syrian officials. On May 19, a day after ordering the first US sanctions on President Bashar al-Assad himself, US president Barack Obama calls on him to lead a political transition or step aside. Early July, the US ambassador in Damascus, Robert Ford, challenges Assad by visiting Hama, a central city besieged by the army and scene of a massive demonstration against the regime. On August 18, Obama and Western allies for the first time call explicitly on Assad to stand down. In October the US announces that Ford has left Syria for security reasons. Damascus recalls its ambassador from Washington. - Obama ignores 'red line' - In summer 2013 the Syrian regime is accused of … [Read more...] about US involvement in Syria since 2011
US pullout from Syria will lead to Islamic State resurgence, warns ally
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said in a statement that a premature US troop pullout would have dangerous repercussions and a destabilising effect on the region. "The war against Islamic State has not ended and the Islamic State has not been defeated," the statement said. It was the first official comment by the group on US President Donald Trump's surprise announcement. Mr Trump's decision to withdraw troops from Syria has rattled Washington's Kurdish allies, who are its most reliable partner in Syria and among the most effective ground forces battling IS. With US air support, the Kurds drove IS from much of northern and eastern Syria in a costly four-year campaign. Kurdish officials and commanders met into the night, discussing their responses to the decision, local residents said. Arin Sheikmos, a Kurdish journalist and commentator, said "we have every right to be afraid". "If the Americans pull out and leave us to the Turks or the (Syrian) regime, our destiny will be like … [Read more...] about US pullout from Syria will lead to Islamic State resurgence, warns ally