Trump wants US troops to ‘get out’ of Syria

In another sign of Trump’s waning interest in Syria, The Wall Street Journal has reported that he had placed on hold $200 million in US funding to help stabilize areas of eastern Syria recaptured from IS.

“The president has been very clear to us that everything we’re doing has to constantly be reviewed and looked at,” McGurk said.

“On this $200 million, we’re looking at where can it be spent most effectively.”

Trump’s apparent willingness to step away from the chaos of Syria runs counter to a new US strategy announced in January by Tillerson prior to his sacking.

Tillerson argued US forces must remain engaged in Syria to prevent IS and Al-Qaeda from returning and to deny Iran a chance to “further strengthen its position in Syria.”

Alireza Nader, an international policy analyst at the Rand Corporation, said a decision to pull out of Syria would be “great news” for leaders in Iran, leaving the Islamic Republic scope to expand its influence across Syria.

“This really would contradict President Trup’s goal of countering Iran in the Middle East,” Nader said.

“If the US wants to counter Iran in the region, it has to stay in Syria.”