U.S. confirms withdrawal of troops from Syria

-
The U.S. has started withdrawing its troops from Syria, according to a statement by the White House on Wednesday.
"We have started returning United States troops home as we transition to the next phase of this campaign," Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced.
Earlier, President Trump said on Twitter that the U.S. has defeated ISIL in Syria, which he said was the "only reason for [the military] being there during the Trump presidency."
WH: President Trump is honoring promise
In April, Trump announced that over the last year, nearly 100 percent of the territory once controlled by ISIL in Syria and Iraq has been liberated and eliminated. He also said, "as other nations step up their contributions, we look forward to the day when we can bring our warriors home."
Concerning the withdrawal of troops from Syria, the White House said the president is honoring his promise.
The Global Coalition against ISIL will not end, the statement mentioned, adding the U.S. and its allies stand ready to re-engage at all levels to defend American interests whenever necessary.
Taking back territory doesn't mean defeating
U.S. officials have warned that taking back the group's territory would not be the same as defeating it, Reuters reported.
Some of Trump's Republican allies in Congress railed against the pullout decision. U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham said a withdrawal would have "devastating consequences" for the U.S. in the region and throughout the world.
The withdrawal decision also raised eyebrows abroad, reports said.
A British defense minister said he strongly disagreed with Trump that ISIL had been defeated in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would study the decision and would ensure its own security.
In Russia, TASS news agency quoted the Foreign Ministry as saying withdrawing U.S. troops from Syria created prospects for a political settlement.
Currently, about 2,000 U.S. troops are in Syria.

Popular posts from this blog

Donald Trump Reacts To Blasey Ford-Kavanaugh Hearing

-
Image
President  Donald Trump  tweeted his support of   Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh  Thursday after Kavanaugh testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to address Christine Blasey Ford ’s allegation that he sexually assaulted her. Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him. His testimony was powerful, honest, and riveting. Democrats’ search and destroy strategy is disgraceful and this process has been a total sham and effort to delay, obstruct, and resist. The Senate must vote. The president was noticeably silent on Twitter throughout the daylong hearing, during which both Blasey and Kavanaugh offered tearful testimony. Immediately after the hearing ended, Trump called Kavanaugh’s testimony “powerful, honest and riveting,” while calling Blasey’s accusations part of a political tactic by Democrats.  He echoed Republicans like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who during the hearing wen...
Read more

Learn about the mysterious mandarin duck in New York's Central Park

-
Image
In his recent post, David Barrett, the owner of the Tweeter account “Manhattan Bird Alert”, announced that a mandarin duck has been spotted in Central Park's pond, stirring up discussions in New York City. Previous Male mandarin ducks have stunning pluamge. /VCG Photo A beautiful mandarin duck is paddling in the water. /VCG Photo Male mandarin ducks have stunning pluamge. /VCG Photo A beautiful mandarin duck is paddling in the water. /VCG Photo Next This glamorously colored duck is native to eastern Asia, and it remains unknown how it manages to make its surprising appearance in the Central Park's pond.   Mandarin ducks are very common in China and Japan, and they are known for the males' vibrantly colored plumage. However, while the males' stunning plumage becomes a long-lasting inspiration for Asian artists throughout the history, the female mandarin ducks are surprisingly plain in their appearances. The mandarin ducks appear in pairs ...
Read more