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.”

Sweet, Sweet Justice: Principal Was Getting Away with Kiddie Porn, Then He Trashed Charlie Kirk and It All Came Crashing Down

VIDEOS: Bondi Briefing Descends Into Utter Chaos as Dems Storm Out When Chair Nukes Their Plan to Publicly Lynch AG

4 House Dems vote against Women’s History Museum bill over biological women-only amendment, Republican claims

70 House GOP members urge Trump admin on Chinese-vape crackdown

Newsom Gets Absolutely Wrecked After He Tries to Defend $114 Million Unfinished Butterfly Bridge and Claims FL and TX Have Same Problems

Breaking: Senate Committee Narrowly Advances Markwayne Mullin’s DHS Nomination with Help from Democrat

House Republicans warm up on spy bill renewal despite weaponization fears

What is the South Pars gas field in Iran Trump threatened to ‘destroy’?

Cyprus reconsiders ‘future of the British bases’ on island after UK bungled defense response

Inside Joe Kent’s abrupt fall as GOP backlash grows over antisemitism accusations, FBI probe

Pentagon seeks at least $200B from Congress for Iran war

Florida deputies mock rowdy spring breakers with NCAA-style scoreboard as arrests surge

Suspect accused of killing NYPD’s Jonathan Diller ‘looks like he’s smiling’ in bodycam video: testimony

Iran’s New Supreme Leader ‘Misfunctioning’: Report

WATCH: Sen. Mullin Tears up During Confirmation Hearing While Sharing What Trump Told His Son About Love After He Experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury

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.”