US troop withdrawal in Syria hinges on safety of Kurdish allies, John Bolton says
(VOVWORLD) - US troops will not leave north-eastern Syria until Islamic State militants are defeated and US-allied Kurdish fighters protected, national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday.
In a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Bolton said the US withdrawal from north-eastern Syria would be carried out in a manner that makes sure the defeat of IS. He added that the US will take interest in forces who have fought alongside US troops against other terrorist groups.
Bolton was due to fly on to Turkey in pursuit of an agreement to protect Kurdish militias. President Donald Trump’s announcement on US withdrawal from Syria last month has raised concerns among US allies, including Israel.