Pentagon: Up to 1,000 U.S. Troops to Withdraw from Northern Syria

Washington (AFP) – The Pentagon said Sunday President Donald Trump had ordered the withdrawal of up to 1,000 troops from northern Syria — almost the entire ground force in war-torn country — amid an intensifying Turkish assault on Kurdish forces.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper said the move came after the US learned that Turkey was pressing further into Syria than had been expected.

And the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are seeking a deal with the Syrian regime and Russia to counter-attack against the Turks in the north, Esper added.

“We find ourselves as we have American forces likely caught between two opposing advancing armies and it’s a very untenable situation,” Esper told CBS’s Face the Nation.

“So I spoke with the president last night after discussions with the rest of the national security team and he directed that we begin a deliberate withdrawal of forces from northern Syria.”

DOJ ramps up focus on violent agitators in Minnesota as resignations strain fraud cases

Where things stand with the government shutdown and how soon it could end

House panel moves to consider criminal referrals for the Clintons

How Fulton County’s election wars escalated into an FBI raid

Greenland independence could make the island a major US ally, activist argues

Shooting in Georgia hotel room leaves 1 officer killed, another seriously wounded: ‘Unprovoked attack’

Portland mayor demands ICE leave city after federal agents use tear gas on protesters ‘Sickening decisions’

ICE halts ‘all movement’ due to measles at Texas detention center that held 5-year-old, dad

California AG sues hospital that ended gender transition treatment for minors to comply with Trump policies

Trump backs former critic Sununu in high-stakes swing state Senate race

Deputy AG denies 5-year-old, father has asylum claim after family released from ICE detention

Florida Airbnb host arrested after alleged lewd act with vacuum at Disney-area resort community

Resurfaced photo links Mamdani to Epstein-connected publicist at New York City event

Trump announces two-year closure of Trump Kennedy Center for major renovations

NYPD officers save choking 2-year-old boy, bodycam video shows

Esper said he was unable to provide a timeline because of the rapidly changing situation on the ground, but added that the withdrawal would be carried out in a “very safe, deliberate manner.”

“Look it’s a very terrible situation over there. A situation caused by the Turks… Despite our opposition they decided to make this incursion into Syria,” Esper told CBS.

“And at this point in time in the last 24 hours we learned that they likely intend to expand their attack further south than originally planned and to the west

“We also have learned in the last 24 hours that the… SDF are looking to cut a deal, if you will, with the Syrians and the Russians to counter-attack against the Turks in the north.”

– ‘Immediate defensive action’ –

Asked if troops would be leaving the country altogether, Esper clarified that the withdrawal was just from northern Syria, “which is where most of our forces are.”