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Syria's Kurds say US pullout 'harms anti-IS fight' | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A Kurdish-led alliance in Syria says President Donald Trump's surprise decision to withdraw US troops will allow the Islamic State (IS) group to recover. | |
A statement from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) warned of a military vacuum that would leave the alliance trapped between "hostile parties". | |
Mr Trump made the announcement on Wednesday, saying IS had been defeated. | Mr Trump made the announcement on Wednesday, saying IS had been defeated. |
However, major allies have disputed the claim. | However, major allies have disputed the claim. |
A US partnership with the SDF - an alliance of Syrian Kurdish and Arab fighters - is credited with playing a major role in the virtual elimination of IS after it overran large swathes of Syria four years ago. | |
About 2,000 US troops have largely been stationed in the Kurdish region in northern Syria. | |
The SDF statement warned that the withdrawal would "negatively impact" the anti-IS campaign and allow the group "to revive itself again". | |
It said the US move would have "dangerous implications" for regional stability and "create a political and military vacuum... leaving its people between the claws of hostile parties". | |
Neighbouring Turkey has said it is poised to launch a military operation against the Kurdish YPG militia - the main fighting force in the SDF - which it regards as a terrorist group. | |
US support for the group has strained relations between Washington and Ankara. | |
What has the US announced? | |
The Pentagon said it was transitioning to the "next phase of the campaign" to eliminate IS but did not provide further details. | |
President Trump, who has long pledged to pull troops out of Syria, said on Twitter that it was time to bring them home after their "historic victories". | |
The White House would not give a timescale for the withdrawal but defence officials quoted by the New York Times said President Trump wanted it done within 30 days. |