Trump decides to keep US troops in Syria for now, signaling Pentagon win

U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to keep U.S. troops in Syria, the White House announced, an apparent win for military commanders who warned against drawing down the American presence while pockets of Islamic State fighters still remain in the country.

“The military mission to eradicate ISIS in Syria is coming to a rapid end, with ISIS being almost completely destroyed. The United States and our partners remain committed to eliminating the small ISIS presence in Syria that our forces have not already eradicated,” the White House said in a statement on Wednesday, April 4.

“We will continue to consult with our allies and friends regarding future plans. We expect countries in the region and beyond, plus the United Nations, to work toward peace and ensure that ISIS never re-emerges.”

The statement comes after days of Trump signaling he would pull thousands of U.S. troops out of Syria. He said Tuesday that he wanted to get American forces out of the country, following comments last week when he vowed U.S. forces would “very soon” quit Syria, a position at odds with his top officials, who have stressed the need for a long-term presence.

Read the full article at The Defense Post