Despite the increasing calls for the U.S. military to exit Syria and Iraq, current and former American officials have stated that there is no imminent plan for any withdrawal of U.S. forces from these regions. GiorgioCafiero highlights the complexities involved, including the need to coordinate with local actors to prevent ISIS from exploiting any chaos. This stance comes in the wake of Iran-backed attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, which have prompted the U.S. to respond by killing at least two senior Iraqi militia commanders in Baghdad this year. StephenWertheim and Gen. McKenzie have voiced concerns over the challenges of withdrawing troops, including the security of ISIS detainees and the insurgent threat. Thanassis Cambanis (@tcambanis) and the U.S. government emphasize the priority of defeating the Islamic State in the discourse surrounding the troops' presence in Syria.
“The U.S. government and its partners should prioritize the objective that brought U.S. troops to Syria in the first place: the Islamic State,” writes Thanassis Cambanis (@tcambanis). https://t.co/2sjIUU9Ljb
“The United States has had years to plan for an orderly withdrawal but hasn’t done so. Now, it’s a matter of months, or at best a year, before the United States pulls its troops from Syria.” @TCambanis for @WarOnTheRocks: https://t.co/Sbl3EHArQt
A withdrawal from #Syria would trigger "serious risks," as the #SDF would "struggle" to secure #ISIS detainees & contain its insurgent threat Former @CENTCOM Commander & @MiddleEastInst's Gen. McKenzie says now is not to the time to leave. https://t.co/4tOKht54qe
The US "should have removed U.S. ground forces from Iraq and Syria once their mission to defeat the Islamic State was complete, instead of leaving those troops in place as ready targets for pro-Iranian militias once tensions mounted." -@stephenwertheim https://t.co/n1fenMUgcG https://t.co/kvLV2pylrb https://t.co/Wm2obqaVQE
ICYMI: Current and former American officials say there is no imminent plan for any withdrawal of #US forces from #Iraq or #Syria despite increased calls for their swift exit. https://t.co/DhB3sCRgXq
In response to #Iran-backed attacks on #US forces in Iraq, #Syria, and Jordan, the US has killed at least two senior Iraqi militia commanders in Baghdad this year. Despite calls for the US to leave Iraq, no plans are on the table to do so. https://t.co/DhB3sCRgXq
After @POTUS told Iran, “Don’t,” its proxy militia groups essentially said, “Watch.” Iran continues to bankroll jihad attacks against US soldiers and our allies. It has even sent militants across our southern border to establish sleeper cells on US soil. https://t.co/6xXWFlaZt3
In response to #Iran-backed attacks on #US forces in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan, the US has killed at least two senior Iraqi militia commanders in Baghdad this year. Despite calls for the US to leave #Iraq and Syria, no plans are on the table to do so. https://t.co/DhB3sCRgXq
Current and former American officials say there is no imminent plan for any withdrawal of #US forces from #Iraq or #Syria despite increased calls for their swift exit. https://t.co/DhB3sCRgXq
.@GiorgioCafiero : There are undoubtedly compelling arguments as to why the U.S. military should exit Syria. But coordinating this withdrawal with local actors will be key if ISIS is to be denied the chance to exploit chaos. MORE: https://t.co/aPVBrmDNZM