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.”

Louisiana GOP throws weight behind Turning Point USA chapter rejected by New Orleans university: ‘injustice’

Daughter of Kentucky sheriff accused of gunning down judge slams online ‘gossip’ about dad

Op-Ed: To Local Zambians, Voddie Baucham’s Legacy Lives On

Ex-FBI agents say bureau used internal probes to punish whistleblowers

New Jersey gubernatorial candidates tout early voting numbers as Trump looms over tight race

‘Political checkbox:’ Spanberger to host Latino outreach rally at Mexican restaurant

Furloughed federal workers take to TikTok to pass the time and make ends meet

The role of a Comey confidant takes center stage in DOJ’s leak case

What to know about the two candidates for governor in New Jersey

Thousands feared killed after paramilitaries take final government stronghold in western Sudan, splitting country in two

DHS warns of ‘unprecedented violence’ as death threats against ICE officers soar 8,000%

JD Vance reveals why Christian values are key to America’s future during TPUSA tribute to Charlie Kirk

Erika Kirk delivers raw, faith-filled tribute to late husband at Ole Miss: ‘I slept on his side of the bed’

Virginia school district slapped with complaint alleging new claims in viral trans locker room fight

Trump orders US nuclear weapons testing to begin ‘immediately’ after Russia tests new missiles

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.”