Trump: A smaller number of US troops will remain in Syria

(Patria) – US President Donald Trump stated that US troops will remain in Syria despite the previous withdrawal order.

A smaller number of soldiers will protect oil fields while others will be positioned near Israel and Jordan at the request of these two countries, 'in a totally different part of Syria,' Trump explained.

His earlier decision to withdraw military forces from northeastern Syria prompted criticism even from his party colleagues, as Turkey immediately launched an offensive against Syrian Kurds – American allies in the area – after the decision was announced.

'Why should we leave our soldiers between two large groups fighting each other?' Trump justified his decision, explaining that he was elected on the promise of bringing American soldiers home.

Around 200,000 US soldiers are currently mobilized in various conflict zones around the world. The number of soldiers in the Gulf has increased by 14,000 since May of this year alone, following attacks on Saudi oil tankers, which the US and Saudi Arabia blame on Iran.

In early October, the Pentagon announced the mobilization of 3,000 soldiers 'to strengthen Saudi Arabia's defense.'

At the same time, several current and former US officials told NBC that the Pentagon has begun developing plans for a possible emergency withdrawal of all troops from Afghanistan, in case of a presidential order similar to the one for Syria.

A five-day ceasefire in northeastern Syria expires on Tuesday at 7:00 PM. Turkey agreed to a temporary ceasefire on the condition that Syrian Kurdish forces withdraw from border towns.

300,000 civilians have been forced to leave their homes due to the fighting, the BBC writes.